
aass_Jt_kl_l 
Rnok ' H ^1 



HISTORY 



OF 





Its Settlement and Growth. 



A COMPREHENSIVE COMPILATION OF PROGRESSIVE EVENTS CONCERNING 
THE COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES — BIOGRAPH- 
ICAL SKETCHES OP THE PIONEERS AND BUSI- 
NESS MEN, WITH AN AUTHENTIC 



HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA. 



SIOUX CITY: 

Western Ppblishing Company. 

1882. 







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Daily Jovrnal Steam Print, 
Sioux City, Iowa. 



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,^^rr=£^SV- 



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PREFACE. 



(^Jjr'EW entorprisess are more liable to misiinderstancling than a work of this char 



el 



-jj^ acter. The main trouble arises from confounding it with books in general. 
'^'6'^ A large, elegantly-bound volume— maybe a History of the World, or of 
some particular Nation, or embracing a scope of interest to a very consideral>le 
portion of mankind, in the gathering of material for which the continuous time 
and labor of but one person have been employed, and the sale.s of which are 
equally extensive and continuous with the very^ general and comprehensive na- 
ture of the whole — such a volume, we say, finds purchasers at so low a price as 
to make that asked for a work of the kind herewith presented seem dispropor- 
tionately large. 

Perhaps it is a work of fiction that is offered the purchasing public. Very 
well; the "Novel" is sumptuously bound, artistically illustrated, and contains a 
great number of closely printed pages; yet its price per copy is even less than 
that for which the Publishers offer their History of Western Iowa. Hence, 
not infi-equently individuals leap unthinkingly to inadequate and necessarily 
hasty conclusions, such as, that the price asked is exorbitant, and so on, for 
quantity. Such a mode of overleaping reasonableness naturally leads to de- 
preciation of the enterprise, and per consequence, many highly creditable works, 
having begun their career with a "damning by faint praise," have ended it m 
unthinking condemnation. 

Now, it is not the intention to argue or philosophize. We herewith present 
the results of half a year's diligent labor, which has occupied the entire time and at- 
tention of a number of competent men — labor not of the most inviting kind, but 
of a sort akin to drudgery. . And not only time and work, but money also to a 
not inconsiderable amount, has been expended. The Publishers ask you to re- 
member that the History op Western Iowa has been compiled for i/ou; that 
its sales are limited almost wholly to that portion of country the facts concern- 
ing which it recounts ; that, were it possible to send the books broadcast over 
the country, and sell them in every city, village and hamlet, the selling price 
could, and would, be proportionately reduced. The work is intended mainly for 
home consumption; the expense is large, the sales disproportionately small. In 
presenting this work to the citizens of Western Iowa, we do so at the very low- 
est possible margin of profit, and that, even, problematic. 

With these remarks, we trust we have established relations of friendly un- 
derstanding with every candid patron. The nature and plan of the work were 
fully ex Gained in the Prospectus, to the promises of which we have endeav- 
ored strictly to adhere. There are errors, of course; no book was ever published 



6 PREFACE, 

that did not contain errors. These are most likely, in this instance, to occur in 
the Biographical Departments of the work. The persons approached by a mem- 
ber of the Publishing Staff in many instances themselves unintentionally give 
incorrect information ; the historian has no other means of knowing,- and so, 
trusting to the accuracy of the informant — especially as the matter sought is of 
personal concern to the informant himself — he "makes a note" of it, and trans- 
cribes it for the History. Hence, patrons should judge leniently concerning 
such errors as may appear; for, in both the matter ot compiling'and printing, 
no pains have been spared to insure the strictest accuracy. 

It goes without the snying. that it is not to the interest of either the Pub- 
lishers or their employes to pervert the facts in any case to the help or hurt of 
any one. 

And so, asking only a recognition of the difficulties, risk and unavoidable 
obstacles in the way of such an undertaking, we launch the History op West- 
ern Iowa upon the sea of popular favor, confident that it will meet with a 
reception in some degree commensurate to its merits. 

Very Respectfully, 

THE PUBLISHERS. 
March, 1882. 



CONTENTS. 



Wage. 

Early History op Iowa 9 

Indian Wars 23 

Indian Purchases, Reserves 

and Treaties 32 

Territorial History 49 

State Organization ^. . . 59 

Agricultural College 66 

State University 67 

State Historical Society j72 

Penal Institutions 73 

Insane Asylum 74 

Blind Asylums 75 

Deaf and Dumb Institute 76 

Soldiers' Orphans' Homes 77 

State Normal School 78 

Asylum for Feeble-Minded 79 

Reform School 80 

Fish Hatchery 81 

Public Lands 82 

School System 99 

Political Record 104 

War Record 110 

Abstracts of Iowa Laws 117 

Rules for Everyday Use 149 

Population of Iowa 156 

Population of United States 158 

Geological and Physical Features . 159 

Woodbury County 175 

Sioux City 181 

Sloan 214 

Sioux City Biographies 217 

Sloan Biographies 241 

Monona County 243 

Onawa 248 

Mapleton 252 

Whiting 255 



Page. 

Onawa Biographies 255 

Mapleton Biographies 257 

Whiting Biographies 259 

Cherokee County .260 

Cherokee 267 

Marcus 274 

Cherokee Biographies 276 

Marcus Biographies 283 

Harrison County 285 

Mondamin 290 

River Sioux 293 

Woodbine 295 

Modale 298 

Dunlap 301 

Little Sioux 306 

Missouri Valley 

Logan 814 

Couiity Details 319 

Missouri Valley Biographies. 322 

Logan Biographies 328 

Mondamin Biographies 337 

Modale Biographies 339 

Little Sioux Biographies 340 

Woodbine Biographies 343 

Dunlap Biographies 347 

Magnolia Biographies 354 

River Sioux Biographies 355 

O'Brien County 356 

Primghar 357 

Sheldon 359 

Sanborn 363 

Hartley 365 

Sheldon Biogi-apliies 366 

Primghar Biographies 369 

Hartley Biographies 372 

Sanborn Biographies 373 



8 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Osceola County 377 

Sibley 378 

Ashton 382 

Sibley Biographies 382 

Plymouth County 387 

LeMars 388 

LeMars Biographies 395 

Shelby County 403 

Hai-lan 405 

Harlan Biographies 414 

Clay County 430 

Spencer 431 

Spencer Biographies 436 

BuENA Vista County 440 

Storm Lake 442 

Sioux Rapids 448 

Alta 450 

Newell 452 

Storm Lake Biographies .... 454 

Alta Biographies 460 

Newell Biographies 461 

Crawford County 465 

Denison 470 

Vail 476 

West Side 480 

Dow City 483 



Page 

Denison Biogi-aphies 487 

Vail Biographies 492 

West Side Biographies 496 

Dow City Biographies 497 

Carroll County 499 

CaiToll City 503 

Arcadia 508 

Glidden 512 

Canoll City Biographies 514 

Arcadia Biographies 518 

Glidden Biographies 519 

Sac County 522 

Sac City 628 

Odebolt 531 

WaU Lake 534 

Fletcher 536 

Sac City Biographies 538 

Odebolt Biographies 547 

Wall Lake Biographies 553 

Fletcher Biographies 555 

1 DA County" 557 

Ida Grove 558 

Battle Creek 563 

Ida Grove Biographies 565 

Battle Creek Biographies . . . 568 



History of Iowa, 



DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION. 

The name Iowa is said to signify " The Beautiful Land," and 
was applied to this magnificent and fruitful region by its ancient 
owners, to express their appreciation of its superiority of climate, 
soil and location. Prior to 1803, the Mississippi River was the 
extreme western boundary of the United States. All the great 
empire lying west of the " Father of Waters," from the Gulf of 
Mexico on the south to British America on the north, and west- 
ward to the Pacific Ocean, was a Spanish province. A brief 
historical sketch of the discovery and occupation of tliis great 
empire by the Spanish and French governments will be a fitting 
introduction to the history of the young and thriving State of 
Iowa, which, until the commencement of the present century, was 
a part of the Spanish possessions in America. 

Early in the Spring of 1542, Ferdinand DeSoto discovered the 
mouth of the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Washita. 
After the sudden death of DeSoto, in May of the same year, his 
followers built a small vessel, and in July, 1543, descended the 
great river to the Gulf of Mexico. 

In accordance with the usage of nations, under which title to 
the soil was claimed by right of discovery, Spain, having con- 
quered Florida and discovered the Mississippi, claimed all the 
territory bordering on that river and the Gulf of Mexico. But it 
was also held by the European nations that, while discovery gave 
title, that title must be perfected by actual possession and occupation. 
Although Spain claimed the territory by right of first discovery, 
she made no effort to occupy it; by no permanent settlement had 
she perfected and held her title, and therefore had forfeited it 
when, at a later period, the Lower Mississippi Valley was re- 
discovered and occupied by France. 

The labors of the zealous French Jesuits of Canada in penetrat- 
ing the unknown region of the West, commencing in 1611, form 
a history of no ordinary interest, but have no particular connec- 
tion with the scope of the present work, until in the Fall of 1665. 
Pierre Claude Aliouez, who had entered Lake Superior in Septem- 
ber, and sailed along the southern coast in search of copper, had 
arrived at the great village of the Chippewas at Chegoincegon. 
Here a grand council of some ten or twelve of the principal Indian 
nations was held. The Pottawatomies of Lake Michigan, the 
Sacs and Foxes of the West, the Hurons fron the North, the 



10 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Illinois from the South, and the Sioux from the land of the 
prairie and wild rice, were all assembled there. The Illinois told 
the story of their ancient glory and about the noble river on the 
banks of which they dwelt. The Sioux also told their white 
brother of the same great river, and Allouez promised to the 
assembled tribes the protection of the French nation against all 
their enemies, native or foreign. 

The purpose of discovering the great river about which the 
Indian nations had given such glowing accounts, appears to have 
originated with Marquette, in 1669. In the year previous, he and 
Claude Dablon had established the Mission of St. Mary's, the oldest 
V^white settlement within the present limits of the State of 
Michigan. Marquette was delayed in the execution of his great 
undertaking, and spent the interval in studying the language and 
habits of the Illinois Indians, among whom he expected to travel. 

About this time the French Government had determined to 
extend the Dominion of France to the extreme western borders of 
Canada. Nicholas Perrot was sent as the agent of the govern- 
ment, to propose a grand council of the Indian nations, at St. 
Mary's. 

W hen Perrot reached Green Bay, he ex^nded the invitation far 
and near; and, escorted by Pottawatomies, repaired on a mission 
of peace and friendship to the Miamis, who occupied the region 
about the present location of Chicago. 

In May 1671, a great council of Indians gathered at the Falls 
of St. Mary, from all parts of the northwest, from the headwaters 
of the St. Lawrence, from the valley of the Mississippi and from 
the Red River of the North. Perrot met with them, and after 
grave consultation, formally announced to the assembled nations 
that their good French Father felt an abiding interest in their 
welfare, and had placed them all under the powerful protection of 
the French Government. 

Marquette, during that same year, had gathered at Point St. 
Ignace the remnants of one branch of the Hurons. This station, for 
a long series of years, was considered the key to the unknown West. 

The time was now auspicious for the consummation of Mar- 
quette's grand project. The successful termination of Perrot's 
mission, and the general friendliness of the native tribes, rendered 
the contemplated expedition much less perilous. But it was not 
until 1673 that the intrepid and enthusiastic priest was finally 
ready to depart on his daring and perilous journey to lands never 
trod by white men. Having implored the blessing of God upon 
his undertaking, on the 13th day of May, 1673, with Joliet and 
five Canadian-French voyageurs, or boatmen, he left the mission 
on his daring journey. Ascending Green Bay and Fox River, 
these bold and enthusiastic pioneers of religion and^ discovery pro- 
ceeded until they reached a Miami and Kickapoo village, where 
Marquette was delighted to find " a beautiful cross planted in the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 11 

middle of the town, ornamented with white skins, red girdles and 
bows and arrows, which these good people had offered to the Great 
Manitou, or God, to thank Him for the pity He had bestowed on 
them during the winter,in having given them abundant chase." This 
was the extreme point beyond which the explorations of the 
French missionaries had not then extended. He called together 
the principal men of the village, and informed them that his com- 
panion, Joiiet, had been sent by the French Governor of Canada to 
discover new countries, to be added to the dominion of France; 
but that he, himself, had been sent by the Most High God, to carry 
the glorious religion of the Cross; and assured his wondering 
hearers that on this mission he had no fear of death, to which he 
knew he would be exposed on his perilous journeys. 

Obtaining the services of two Miami gu ides, to conduct his 
little band to the Wisconsin River, he left the hospitable Indians 
on the 10th of June. Conducting them across the portage, their 
Indian guides returned to their village, and tlie little party descended 
the Wisconsin, to the great river which had so long been so 
anxiously looked for, and boldly floated down its unknown waters. 
On the 25th of June, the explorers discovered indications of 
Indians on the west bank of the river, and lauded a little above 
the mouth of the river now known as Des Moines, and for the first 
time Europeans trod the soil of Iowa. Leaving the Canadians to 
guard the canoes, Marquette and Joiiet boldly followed the trail 
into the interior for fourteen miles (some authorities say six), to 
an Indian village situated on the banks of a river, and discovered 
two other villages, on the rising ground about half a league dis- 
tant. Their visit, while it created much astonishment, did not 
seem to be entirely unexpected, for there was a tradition or 
prophecy among the Indians that white visitors were to come to 
them. They were, therefore, received with great respect and 
hospitality, and were cordially tendered the calumet or pipe of 
peace. They were informed that this band was a part of the Illini 
nation, and that their village was called Monin-gou-ma or 
Moingona, which was the name of the river on which it stood. 
This, from its similarity of sound, Marquette corrupted into Des 
Moines (Monk's River), its present name. 

Here the voyagers remained six days, learning much of the 
manners and customs of their new friends. The new religion 
they boldly preached, and the authority of the King of France they 
proclaimed were received without hostility or remonstrance by their 
savage entertainers. On their departure, they were accompanied 
to their canoes by the chiefs and hundreds of warriors. Mar- 
quette received from them the sacred calumet, the emblem of 
peace and safeguard among the nations, and re-embarked for the 
rest of his journey. 

In 1682, LaSalle descended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico 
and in the name of the King of France took formal possession. 



12 HISTORY CF IOWA. 

of all the immense region watered by the great river and its 
tributaries from its source to its mouth, and named it Louisiana, 
in honor of his master, Louis XIV. At the close of the seven- 
teenth century, France claimed, by right of discovery and occu- 
pancy, the whole valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries, in- 
cluding Texas, as far as the Rio del Norte. 

In 1719, Phillipe Francis Renault arrived in Illinois with two 
hundred miners and artisans. The war between France and Spain 
at this time rendered it extremely probable that the Mississippi 
Valley might become the theater of Spanish hostilities against the 
French settlements; to prevent this, as well as to extend French 
claims, a chain of forts was begun, to keep open the connection 
between the mouth and the sources of the Mississippi. Fort Or- 
leans, high up the Mississippi River, was erected as an outpost in 
1720. 

The Mississippi scheme was at the zenith of its power and glory 
in January, 1720, but the gigantic bubble collapsed more suddenly 
than it had been inflated, and the Company was declared hopelessly 
bankrupt in May following. France was impoverished by it, both 
private and public credit were overthrown, capitalists suddenly found 
themselves paupers, and labor was left without employment. The 
effect on the colony of Louisiana was disastrous. 

While this was going on in Lower Louisiana the region about 
the lakes was the theaterof Indian hostilities,rendering the passage 
from Canada to Louisiana extremely dangerous for many years. The 
Englishhad not only extended their Indian trade into the vicinity of 
the French settlements, but through their friends, the Iroquois, had 
gained a marked ascendancy over the Foxes, a fierce and powerful 
tribe, of Iroquois descent, whom they incited to hostilities against 
the French. The Foxes began their hostilities with the siege of 
Detroit in 1712, a siege which continued for nineteen consecutive 
days, and although the expedition resulted in diminishing their num- 
bers and humbling their pride, yet it was not until after several suc- 
cessive campaigns, embodying the best military resources of New 
France, had been dii*ected against them, that they were finally de- 
feated at the great battles of Butte desMorts, and on the Wiscon- 
sin River, and driven west in 1746, 

The Company, having found that the cost of defending Louisi- 
ana exceeded the returns from its commerce, solicited leave to sur- 
render the Mississippi wilderness to the home government. Ac- 
cordingly, on the 10th of April, 1732, the jurisdiction and control 
over the commerce reverted to the Crown of France. The Com- 
pany had held possession of Louisiana fourteen years. In 1735, 
Bienville returned to assume command for the King. 

A glance at a few of the old French settlements will show the 
progress made in portions of Louisiana during the early part of 
the eighteenth century. As early as 1705, traders and hunters had 
penetrated the fertile regions of the Wabash, and from this region, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 13 

at that early date, fifteen thousand hides and skins had been col- 
lected and sent to IVIobile for the European market. 

In the year 1716, the French population on the Wabash kept up 
a lucrative commerce with Mobile by means of traders and voyag- 
eurs. The Ohio river was comparatively unknown. 

In 1716, agriculture on the Wabash had attained to greater pros- 
perity than in any of the French settlements besides, and in that 
year six hundred barrels of flour were manufactured and shipped to 
New Orleans, together with considerable quantities of hide, peltry, 
tallow and beeswax. 

In the Illinois country, also, considerable settlements had been 
ymade, so that, in 1730, they embraced one hundred and forty French 
^ families, about six hundred "converted Indians," and many trad- 
ers and voyageurs. 

In 1753, the first actual conflict arose between Louisiana and the 
Atlantic colonies. From the earliest advent of the Jesuit fathers, 
up to the period of which we speak, the great ambition of the 
French had been, not alone to preserve their possessions in the 
West, but by every possible means to prevent the slightest attempt 
of the English, east of the mountains, to extend their settlements 
toward the Mississippi. France was resolved on retaining posses- 
sion of the great territory which her missionaries had discovered 
and revealed to the world. French commandants had avowed their 
intention of seizing every Englishman within the Ohio Valley, 

The colonies of Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia were most 
affected by the encroachments of France in the extension of her 
dominion; and particularly in the great scheme of uniting Canada 
with Louisiana. To carry out this purpose the French had taken 
possession of a tract of country claimed by Virginia, and had com- 
menced a line of forts extending from the lakes to the Ohio River. 
Virginia was not only alive to her own interests, but attentive to 
the vast importance of an immediate and efl'ectual resistance on the 
part of all the English colonies to the actual and contemplatad en- 
croachments of the French. 

In 1753, Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, sent George Wash- 
ington, then a young man just twenty-one, to demand of the French 
commandant "a reason for invading British dominions while a solid 
peace subsisted." Washington met the French commandant, 
Gardeur de St. Pierre, on the head waters of the Alleghany, and 
having communicated to him the object of his journey, received the 
insolent answer that the French would not discuss the matter of 
right, but would make prisoners of every Englishman found trading 
on the Ohio and its waters. The country, he said belonged to the 
French, by virtue of the discoveries of La Salle, and they Avould 
not withdraw from it. 

In January, 1754, Washington returned to Virginia, and made 
his report to the Governor and Council. Forces were at once raised 
and Washington, as Lieutenant Colonel, was dispatched at the 



14 HISTOET OF IOWA. 

head of a hundred and fifty men, to the forks of the Ohio, with or- 
ders to "finish the fort ah-eady begun there by the Ohio Company^ 
and to make prisoners, kill or destroy all who interrupted the, Eng- 
lish settlements." 

On his march through the forests of AVestern Pennsylvania,. 
Washington, through the aid of friendly Indians, discovered the 
French concealed among the rocks, and as they ran to seize their 
arms, ordered his men to ffre upon them, at the same time, with 
his own musket, setting the example. An action lasting about a 
quarter of an hour ensued; ten of the Frenchmen were killed,, 
among them Jumonville, the commander of the party, and twenty- 
one were made prisoners. The dead were scalped by the Indians, 
and the chief, bearing a tomahawk and a scalp, visited all the tribes 
of th e Miam is, urging them to join the Six Nations and English 
against the French. The French, however, were soon re-enforced 
and Col. Washington was compelled to return to Fort Necessity. 
Here, on the 3d day of July, De Villiers invested the fort with GOO' 
French troops and 100 Indians. On the 4th, Washington accept- 
ed terms of capitulation and the English garrison withdrew from 
the valley of the Ohio. 

This attack of Washington upon Jumonville aroused the indig- 
nation of France, and war was formally declared in May, 1756, and 
the " French and Indian War" devastated the colonies for several 
years. Montreal, Detroit and all Canada were surrendered to the 
English, and on the 10th of February, 1763, by the treaty of Par- 
is — which had been signed, though not formally ratified by the re- 
spective governments, on the 3d of November, 1762 — France re- 
linquished to Great Britain all that portion of the province of Lou- 
isiana lying on the east side of the Mississippi, except the island 
and town of New Orleans. On the same day that the treaty of 
Paris was signed France, by a secret treaty, ceded to Spain all her 
possessions on the west side of the Mississippi, including the whole 
country to the head waters of the Great River, and west to the 
Rocky Mountains, and the jurisdiction of France in America, which 
had lasted nearly a century, was ended. 

At the close of the Revolutionary war, by the treaty of peace 
between Great Britain and the United States'^ the English Govern- 
ment ceded to the latter all the territory on the east side of the 
Mississippi River and north of the thirty-first parallel of north 
latitude. At the same time. Great Britain ceded to Spain all the 
Floridas, comprising all the territory east of the Mississippi and 
south of the southern limits of the United States. 

At this time, therefore, the present State of Iowa was a part of 
the Spanish possessions in North America, as all the territory west 
of the Mississippi River was under the dominion of Spain. That 
government also possessed all the territory of the Floridas east of 
the gieat river and south of the thirty-first parallel of north lati- 
tude. The Mississippi, therefore, so essential to the prosperity of 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 15 

the western portion of the United States, for the last three hun- 
dred miles of its coarse flowed wholly within the Spanish domin- 
ions, and that government claimed the exclusive right to use and 
control it below the southern boundary of the United States. 

The free navigation of the Mississippi was a very important 
question during all the time that Louisana remained a dependency 
of the Spanish Crown, and as the final settlement intimately af- 
fected the status of the then future State of Iowa, it will be in- 
teresting to trace its progress. 

The people of the United States occupied and exercised juris- 
diction over the entire eastern valley of the Mississippi, embracing 
all the country drained by its eastern tributaries; they had a nat- 
ural right, according to the accepted international law, to follow 
these rivers to the sea, and to the use of the Mississippi River ac- 
cordingly, as the great natural channel of commerce. The river 
was not only necessary but absolutely indispensable to the pros- 
perity and growth of the western settlements then rapidly rising 
into commercial and political importance. They were situated iiL 
the heart of the great valley, and with wonderful expansive ener- 
gies and accumulating resources, it was very evident that no power 
on earth could deprive them of the free use of the river below^ 
them, only while their numbers were insuflficient to enable them 
to maintain their right by force. Inevitably, therefore, immedia- 
tely after the ratification of the treaty of 1785, the Western peo- 
ple began to demand the free navigation of the Mississippi — not 
as a favor, but as a right. In 1786, both banks of the river, below 
the mouth of the Ohio, were occupied by Spain, and military posts. 
on the east bank enforced her power to exact heavy duties on alt 
imports by way of the river for the Ohio region. Every boat de- 
cendingtlie river was forced to land and submit to the arbitrary 
revenue exactions of the Spanish authorities. Under the admin- 
istration of Governor Miro. these rigorous exactions were some- 
what relaxed from 1787 to 1790: but Spain held it as her right to 
make them. Taking advantage of the claim of the American peo- 
ple, that the Mississippi should be opened to them, in 1791, the 
Spanish Government concocted a scheme for the dismembership 
of the Union. The plan was to induce the Western people to sep- 
arate from the Eastern States by liberal land grants and extraor- 
dinary commercial privileges. 

Spanish emissaries, among the people of Ohio and Kentucky, in- 
formed them that the Spanish Government would grant them fa- 
vorable commercial privileges, provided they Avould secede from 
the Federal Government east of the mountains. The Spanish 
Minister to the United States plainly declared to his confidential 
correspondent that, unless the Western people would declare their 
independence and refuse to remain in the Union, Spain was deter- 
mined never to grant the f^ee navigation of the Mississippi. 



16 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

By the treaty of Madrid, October 20, 1795, however, Spain form- 
ally stipulated that the Mississippi River, from its source to the 
Gulf, for its entire width, shoukl be free to American trade and 
commerce, and that the people of the United States should be per- 
mitted for three years, to use the port of New Orleans as a port of 
deposit for their merchandize and produce, duty free. 

In November, 1801, the United States Government received, 
through Rufus King, its Minister at the Court of St. James, a 
copy of the treaty between Spain and France, signed at Madrid, 
March 21, 1801, by which the session of Louisiana to France, 
made the previous autumn, was confirmed. 

The change oifered a favorable opportunity to secure the just 
rights of the United States, in relation to the free navigation of 
the Mississippi, and ended the attempt to dismember the Union 
by an effort to secure an independent government west of the Al- 
leghany Mountains. On the 7th day of January, 1803, the Amer- 
ican House of Representatives adopted a resolution declaring their 
''unalterable determination to maintain the boundaries and the 
rights of navigation and commerce through the River Mississippi, 
as established by existing treaties." 

In the same month. President Jefferson nominated and the Sen- 
ate confirmed Rob ert R. Liv ingston and James Monroe as Envoys 
Plenipotentiary to the Court of France, and Charles Pinckney and 
James Monroe to the Court of Spain, with plenar}^ power to ne- 
gotiate treaties to effect the object enunciated by the popular 
branch of the National Legislature. These envoys were instructed 
to secure, if possible, the cession of Florida and New Orleans, but 
it does not appear that Mr. Jefferson and his cabinet had any idea 
of purchasing that part of Louisiana lying on the west side of the 
Mississippi. In fact, on the 2d of March following, the instruc- 
tions w^re sent to our Ministers, containing a plan which express- 
ly left to France "all her territory on the west side of the Mississ- 
ippi." Had these instructions been followed, it might have been 
that there would not have been any State of Iowa or any other 
member of the glorious Union of States west of the ''Father of 
Waters." 

In obedience to his instructions, however, Mr. Livingston 
broached this plan to M. Talleyrand, Napoleon's Prime Minister, 
when that courtly diplomatist quietly suggested to the American 
Minister that France might be willing to cede the whole French 
domain in North America to the United States, and asked how 
much the Federal Government would be willing to give for it. 
Livingston intimated that twenty millicns of francs might be a 
fair price. Talleyrand thought that not enough, but asked the 
Americans to ''think of it." A few days later, Napoleon, in an 
interview with Mr. Livingston, in effect informed the American 
Envoy that he had secured Louisiana in a contract with Spain for 
the purpose of turning it over to the United States for a mere 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 17 

nominal sum. He had been compelled to provide for the safety 
of that province by the treaty, and he was "anxious to give the 
United States a magnificent bargain for a m3re trifle." The price 
proposed was one hundred and twenty-five million francs. This 
was subsequently modified to fifteen million d(3llars, and on this 
basis a treaty was negotiated, and Avas signed on the 30th day of 
April, 1S03. 

This treaty was ratified by the Federal Government, and by act 
of Congress, approved October 31. 1803, the President of the 
United States was authorized to take possession of the territory 
and provide for it a temporary government. Accordingly, on the 
20th day of September following, on behalf of the President, 
Gov. Clairborne and Gen. Wilkinson took possession of the Louis- 
iana purchase, and raised the American flag over the newly ac- 
quired" domain, at New Orleans. Spain, although it had by treaty 
ceded the province to France in 1801, still held quasi possession 
and at first objected to the transfer, but withdrew her opposition 
early in 1801. 

By this treaty, thus successfully consummated, and the peace- 
able withdrawal of Spain, the then infant nation of the New 
World extended its dominion west of the Mississippi to the Pacific 
Ocean, and north from the Gulf of Mexico tc British America. 

If the original design of Jefferson's administration had been 
accomplished, the United States would have accquired only that 
portion of the French territory lying east of the Mississippi River, 
and while the American people would thus have acquired the free 
navigation of that great river, all of the vast and fertile empire on 
the west, so rich in its agricultural and inexhaustible mineral 
resources, would have remained under the dominion of a foreign 
power. To Napoleon's desire to sell the whole of his North 
American possessions, and Livingston's act transcending his in- 
structions, which was acquiesced in after it Avas done, does Iowa 
owe her position as a part of the United States by the Louisiana 
purchase. 

By authority of an act of Congress, approved March 26. 1801, 
the newly acquired territory was. on the 1st day of October follow- 
ing, divided: that part lying south of the 33d parallel of north 
latitute was called the Territory of Orleans, and all north of that 
parallel the District of Louisiana, which was placed under the 
authority of the officers of Indiana Territory, until July 4, 1805, 
when it was organized with territorial government of its own, and 
so remained until 1812, when theTerritorv of Orleans became the 
State of Louisiana, and the name of the Territory of Louisiana 
w^as changed to Missouri. On the 1th of July, 1811, that part of 
Missouri Territoi'y comprising the present State of Arkansas, and 
the country to the westward, was organized into the Arkansas 
Territory. 



18 HISTCBY OF IOWA. 

On the 2d of March, 1S21, the State of Missouri, being a part* 
of the territory of that name, was admitted to the Union, June 
28, 1834, the territory west of the Mississippi River and north of 
Missouri, was made apart of the Territory of Michigan; but two 
years later, on the 4th of July, 1836, Wisconsin Territory was 
erected, embracing within its limits the present States of Iowa, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

By act of Congress, approved June 12, 1838, the 

TEREITORY OF IOWA 

was erected, comprising, in addition to the present State, much the 
larger part of Minnesota, and extending north to the boundary of 
the British possessions. 

THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. 

Having traced the early history of the great empire lying west 
of the Mississippi, of which the State of Iowa constitutes a part, 
from the earliest discovery to the organization of the Territory of 
Iowa, it becomes necessary to give some history of the Indians of 
Iowa. 

According to the policy of the European nations, possession 
perfected title to any territory. We have seen that the country 
west of the Mississippi was first discovered by the Spaniards, but 
afterward, was visited and occupied by the French. It was ceded 
by France to Spain, and by Spain back to France again, and then 
was purchased and occupied by the United States. During all that 
time, it does not appear to have entered into the heads or hearts of 
the high contracting parties that the country they bought, sold and 
gave away was in the possession of a race of men who, although 
savage, owned the vast domain before Columbus first crossed the 
Atlantic. Having purchased the territory, the United States 
found it still in the possession of its original owners, who had 
never been dispossessed; and it became necessary to purchase 
again what had already been bought before, or forcibly eject the 
occupants; therefore, the history of the Indian nations who occu- 
pied Iowa prior to and during its early settlement by the whites, 
becomes an important chapter in the history of the State, that 
cannot be omitted. 

For more than one hundred years after Marquette and Joliet 
trod the virgin soil of Iowa, not a single settlement -had been made 
or attempted; not even a trading post had been established. The 
whole country remained in the undisputed possession of the native 
tribes, who roamed at will over her beautiful and fertile prairies, 
hunted in her woods, tished in her streams, and often poured out 
their life-blood in obstinately contested contests for supremacy. 
That this State so aptly styled " The Beautiful Land," had been 
the theater of numerous, fierce and bloody struggles between rival 
nations, for possession of the favored region, long before its settle- 
ment by civilized man, there is no room for doubt. In these 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 19 

savage wars, the weaker party, whether aggressive or defensive, was 
either exterminated or driven from their ancient hunting grounds. 

In 1673, when Marquette discovered Iowa, the Illini were a very- 
powerful people, occupying a large portion of the State; but when 
the country was again visited by the whites, not a remnant of that 
once powerful tribe remained on the west side of the Mississippi^ 
and Iowa was principally in the possession of the Sacs and Foxes^'*^ 
a war-like tribe which, originally two distinct nations, residing in. 
New York and on the waters of the St. Lawrence, had gradually 
fought their way westward, and united, probably, after the Foxes 
had been driven out of the Fox River country, in 1846, and crossed 
the Mississippi. The death of Pontiac, a famous Sac chieftain^ 
was made the pretext for war against the Illini, and a fierce and 
bloody struggle ensued, which continued until the Illinois were 
nearly destroyed and their hunting grounds possessed by their 
victorious foes. The lowas also occupied a portion of the State 
for a time, in common with the Sacs, but they, too, were nearly 
destroyed by the Sacs and Foxes, and, in "The Beautiful Land,'* 
these natives met their equally warlike foes, the North erji^i oux. 
with whom they maintained a constant warfare for the possession 
of the country for many years. 

When the United States came in possession of the great valley 
of the Mississippi, by the Louisiana purchase, the Sacs and Foxes | 
and lowas possessed the entire territory now comprising the State I 
of Iowa. The Sacs and Foxes, also, occupied the most of the 
State of Illinois. 

Th e Sacs had four prin cipal villages, where most of them 
resided, viz: Their largest and most important town — if an 
Indian village may be called such — and from which emanated 
most of the obstacles and difficulties encountered by the Govern- 
ment in the extinguishment of Indian titles to land in this region, 
was on Rock River, near Rock Island; another was on the east 
bank of the Mississippi, near the mouth of Henderson River; the 
third Avas at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, near the present 
site of Montrose, and the fourth Avas near the mouth of the Upper 
Iowa. 

The Fox^s had three principal villages, viz: One on the west 
side oT^tlie Mississippi, six miles above the rapids of Rock River; 
another about twelve miles from the river, in the rear of the 
Dubuque lead mines, and the third on Turkey River. 

The lowas, at one time identified with the Sacs, of Rock River, 
had withdrawn from them and beco me a sep arate_jtrib£. Their 
principal village was on the Des Moines River, in Van Buren 
County, on the site where lowaville now stands. Here the last 
great battle between the Sac s and Foxes a nd the lowas was fought, 
in which Black Hawk, then a young man, commanded one division 
of the attacking forces. 



20 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The Sacs and Foxes, prior to the settlement of their village on 
Rock River, had a fierce conflict with the Winnebagoes, subdued 
them and took possession of their lands. Their village on Rock 
River, at one time, contained upward of sixty lodges, and was 
among the largest Indian villages on the continent. In 1825, the 
Secretary of War estimated the entire number of the Sacs and 
Foxes at 4,600 souls. Their village Avas situated in the immediate 
vicinity of the upper rapids of the Mississippi, where the beautiful 
and flourishing towns of Rock Island and Davenport are now situ- 
ated. The beautiful scenery of the island, the extensive prairies, 
dotted over with groves; the picturesque bluff's along the river 
banks, the rich and fertile soil, producing large crops of corn, 
squash and other vegetables, with little labor; the abundance of 
wild fruit, game, fish, and almost everything calculated to make it 
a delightful spot for an Indian village, which was found there, had 
made this place a favorite home of the Sacs, and secured for it the 
strong attachment and veneration of the whole nation. 

North of the hunting grounds of the Sacs and Foxes, were those 
of the Sioux, a fierce and warlike nation, who often disputed pos- 
session with their rivals in savage and bloody warfare. The pos- 
sessions of these tribes were mostly located in Minnesota, but 
extended over a portion of Northern and Western Iowa to the Mis- 
souri River. Their descent from the north upon the hunting 
grounds o f Iowa fr equently brought them into collision with the 
Sacs and Foxes; and after many a conflict and bloody struggle, a 
boundary line was established between them by the Government 
of the United States, in a treaty held at Prairie du Chien, in 1825. 
But this, instead of settling the difficulties, caused them to quarrel 
all the more, in consequence of alleged trespasses upon each other's 
side of the line. These contests were kept up and became so unre- 
lenting that, in 1830, Government bought of the respective tribes 
of the Sacs and Foxes, and the Sioux, a strip of land twenty miles 
in width, on both sides of the line, and thus throwing them forty 
miles apart by creating between them a "neutral ground," com- 
manded them to cease their hostilities. Both the Sacs and Foxes 
and the Sioux, however, were allowed to fish and hunt on this 
ground unmolested, provided they did not interfere with each other 
on United States territory. The Sacs and Foxes and the Sioux 
were deadly enemies, and neither let an opportunity to punish the 
other pass unimproved. 

In April, 1852, a fight occurred between the Musquakj^ band of 
Sacs and Foxes and a band of Sioux, about six miles above Algona, 
in Kossuth County, on the west side of the Des Moines River. 
The Sacs and Foxes were under the leadership of Ko-ko-wah, a 
subordinate chief, and had gone up from their home in Tama 
County, by way of Clear Lake, to what was then the ''neutral 
ground." At Clear Lake, Ko-ko-wah was informed that a party of 
Sioux were encamped on the west side of the East Fork of the Des 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 21 

Moines, and he determined to attack them. With sixty of his 
warriors, he started and arrived at a point on the east side of the 
river, about a mile above the Sioux encampment, in the night, and 
concealed themselves in a grove, where they were able to discover 
the position and strength of their hereditary foes. The next morn- 
ing, after many of the Sioux braves had left their camp on hunting 
tours, the vindictive Sacs and Foxes crossed the river and suddenly 
attacked the camp. The conflict was desperate for a short time, 
but the advantage was with the assailants, and the Sioux were 
routed. Sixteen of them, including some of their women and 
children, were killed, and a boy 14 years old was captured. One 
of the Musquakas was shot in the breast by a squaw as they were 
rushing into the Sioux's camp. He started to run away, when the 
same brave squaw shot him through the body, at a distance of 
twenty rods, and he fell dead. Three other Sac braves were killed. 
But few of the Sioux escaped. The victorious party hurriedly 
buried their own dead, leaving the dead Sioux above ground, and 
made their way home, with their captive, with all possible expedition, 

pike's EXPEDITIOlf. 

Very soon after the acquisition of Louisiana the United States 
Government adopted measures for the exploration of the new ter- 
ritory, having in view the conciliation of the numerous tribes of 
Indians by whom it was possessed, and, also, the selection of proper 
sites for the establishment of military posts and trading stations. 
The Army of the West, Gen. James Wilkinson commanding, had 
its headquarters at St. Louis. From this post. Captains Lewis and 
Clarke, with a sufficient force, were detailed to explore the unknown 
sources of the Missouri, and Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike, to ascend to 
the head waters of the Mississippi, Lieut. Pike, with one Ser- 
geant, two Corporals and seventeen privates, left the military camp, 
near St. Louis, in a keel-boat, with four month's rations, on the 
9th day of August, 1805, On the 20th of the same month, the ex- 
pedition arrived within the present limit of Iowa, at the foot of 
the Des Moines Rapids, where Pike met William Fwing , who had 
just been appointed Indian agent at this point, a French interpreter 
and four chiefs and fifteen Sac and Fox warriors. 

At the head of the rapids, where Montrose is now situated. Pike 
held a council w^th the Indians, in which he addressed them sub- 
stantially as follows: " Your great Father, the President of the 
United States wished to be more intimately acquainted with the 
situation and wants of the difl'erent nations of red people in our 
newly acquired territory of Louisiana, and has ordered the General 
to send a number of his warriors in different directions to take 
them by the hand and make such inquiries as might afford the sat- 
isfaction required." At the close of the council he presented the 
red men with some knives, whisky and tobacco. 

Purstiing his way up the river, he arrived, on the 23d of August, 
at what is supposed, from his description,to be the site of the pres- 



22 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

ent city of Burlington, which he selected as the location of a mili- 
tary post. He describes the place as being "'ori a hill, about forty 
miles above the River de Moyue Rapids, on the west side of the 
river in latitude about 41 degrees 21 minutes north. The channel 
of the river runs on that shore; the hill in front is about sixty feet 
perpendicular; nearly level on top; four hundred yards in the rear 
is a small prairie fit for gardening, and immediately under the hill 
is a limestone spring, sufficient for the consumption of a whole reg- 
iment." In additioii to this description, which corresponds to Bur- 
lington, the spot is laid down on his map at a bend in the river a 
short distance below the mouth of the Henderson, which pours its 
waters into the Mississippi from Dlinois. The fort was built at 
Fort Madison, but from the distance, latitude, description and map 
furnished by Pike, it could not have been the place selected by him 
while all the circumstances corroborate the opinion that the place 
he selected was the spot where Burlington is now located, called by 
the early voyagers on the Mississippi, '' Flint Hills." 

On the 2-lth, with one of his men, he went on shore on a hunt- 
ing expedition, and following a stream which they supposed to be 
a part of the Mississippi, they were led away from their course. 
Owing to the intense heat ahd tall grass, his two favorite dogs, 
which he had taken with him, became exhausted and he left them 
on the prairie, supposing that they would follow him as soon as 
they should get rested, and went on to overtake his boat. Reach- 
ing the river, he waited some time for his canine friends, but they 
did not come, and as he deemed it inexpedient to detain the boat 
longer, two of his men volunteered to go in pursuit of them, and 
he continued on his way up the river, expecting that the two men 
would soon overtake him. They lost their way, however, and for 
six days were without food, except a few morsels gathered from the 
stream, and might have perished had they not accidentally met a 
trader from St. Louis, who induced two Indians to take them up 
the river, and they overtook the boat at Dubuque. 

At Dubuque Pike was cordiully received by Julien Dubuque, a 
Frenchman, who held a mining claim under a grant from Spain. 
Dubuque had an old field piece and fired a salute in honor of the 
advent of the first Americans who had visited that part of the Ter- 
ritory. Dubuque, however, was not disposed to publish the wealth 
of his mines, and the young and apparently inquisitive officer could 
obtain but little information from him. 

After leaving this place. Pike pursued his way up the river, 
but as he passed beyond the limits of the present State of Iowa, a 
detailed history of his explorations on the upper waters of the Mis- 
sissippi more properly belongs to the history of another State. 

It is sufficient to say that on the site of Fort Snellmg, Minneso- 
ta, at the mouth of the Minnesota River, Pike held a council with 
the Sioux, September 23, and obtained from them a grant of one 
hundred thousand acres of land. On the 8th of January 1806, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 23 

Pike arrived at a trading post belonging to the Northwest Com- 
pany, on Lake De iSable in hititude -17 ^ . At this time the then 
po^rerful Northwest Company carried on their immense operations 
from Hudson's Bay to the St. Lawrence: up that river on both 
sides, along the Great Lakes to the head of Lake Superior, thence 
to the sources of the Red River of the North, and west to the Rocky 
Mountains, embracing within the scope of their operations the en- 
tire Territory of Iowa. After successfully accomplishing his mis- 
sion, and performing a valuable service to Iowa and the whole 
Northwest, Pike returned to St. Louis, arriving there on the 30th 
of April, 1806. 

INDIAN W^ARS. 

The Territory of Iowa, although it had been purchased by the 
United States, and was ostensibly in the possession of the Gov- 
ernment, was still occupied by the Indians, who claimed title to 
the soil by right of ownership and possession. Before it could be 
open to settlement by the whites, it was indispensible that the 
Indian title should be extinguished and the original owners re- 
moved. The accomplishment of this purpose required the expen- 
diture of large sums of money and blood, and for a long series of 
years the frontier was disturbed by Indian wars, terminated re- 
peatedly by treaty, only to be renewed by some act of oppression 
on the part of the whites or some violation of treaty stipulation. 

As previously shown, at the time when the United States as- 
sumed the control of the country by virtue of the Louisiana pur- 
chase, nearly the whole State was in possession of the Sacs and 
Foxes, a powerful and warlike nation, who were not disposed to 
submit without a struggle to what they considered the encroach- 
ments of the pale faces. 

Among the most noted chiefs, and one whose reitlessness and 
hatred of the Americans occasioned more trouble to the Govern- 
ment than any others of his tribe, Avas Blac k Haw k, who was born 
at the Sac villa ge, on Rock River, in 1767. He was simply the 
chief of his own band of Sac warriors, but by his energy and am- 
bition he became the leading spirit of the united nation of Sa.cs 
an d Foxes , and one of the prominent figures in the history oFthe 
country from ISOi until his death. In early manhood he attained 
some destinction as a fighting chief, having led campaigns against 
the Osages, and other neighboring tribes. About the beginning 
of the present century he began to appear prominent in affairs on 
the Mississippi. Some historians have added to the statement that 
'' it does not appear that he was ever a great general, or possessed 
any of the qualifications of a successful leader." If this was so, 
his life was a marvel. How any man who had none of the quali- 
fications of a leader became so prominent as such, as he did, indi- 
cates either that he had some ability, or that his cotemporaries, 
both Indian and Anglo-Saxon, had less than he. He is said to 



24 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

have been the " victim of a narrow prejudice and bitter ill-will 
against the Americans," but the impartial historian must admit 
that if he was the enemy of the Americans, it was certainly not 
without some reason. 

It will be remembered that Spain did not give up possession of 
the country to France on its cession to the latter power, in 1801, 
but retained possession of it, and, by the authority of France, 
transferred it to the United States, in 3804. Black Hawk and his 
band were in St. Louis at the time, and were invited to be present 
and witness the ceremonies of the transfer, but he refused the invi- 
tation, and it is but just to say that this refusal was caused proba- 
bly more from regret that the Indians were to be transferred from 
the jurisdiction of the Spanish authorities than from any special 
hatred toward the Americans. In his life he says: ''I found many 
sad and gloomy faces because the United States were about to take 
possession of the town and country. Soon after the Americans 
came, I took my band and went to take leave of our Spanish father. 
The Americans came to see him also. Seeing them approach, we 
passed out of one door as they entered another, and immediately 
started in our canoes for our village, on Rock River, not liking the 
change any more than our friends appeared to at St. Louis. On 
arriving at our village, we gave the news that strange people had 
arrived at St. Louis, and that we should never see our Spanish 
father again. The information made all our people sorry." 

On the 3d day of November, 1804, a treaty was concluded 
between William Henry Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Terri- 
rory, on behalf of the United States, and five chiefs of the Sac and 
Fox nation, by which the latter, in consideration of two thousand 
two hundred and thirty-four dollars' worth of goods then delivered, 
and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars to be paid in goods at 
just cost, ceded to the United States all that land on the east side 
of the Mississippi, extending from a point opposite the Jefferson, 
in Missouri, to the Wisconsin River, embracing an area of over 
fifty-one millions of acres. 

To this treaty Black Hawk always objected and always refused 
to consider it binding upon his people. He asserted that the chiefs 
or braves who made it had no authority to relinquish the title of 
the nation to any of the lands they held or occupied; and, more- 
over, that they had been sent to St. Louis on quite a different 
errand, namely, to get one of their people released, who had been 
imprisoned at St. Louis for killing a white man. 

The year following this treaty (1805), Lieutenant Zebulon M. 
Pike came up the river for the purpose of holding friendly coun- 
cils with the Indians and selecting sites for forts within the terri- 
tory recently acquired from France by the United States. Lieu- 
tenant Pike seems to have been the first American whom Black 
Hawk ever met or had a personal interview with; ana he was very 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 25 

much prepossessed in Pike's favor. He gives the following account 
of his visit to Rock Island: 

"A boat came up the river with a young American chief and a 
small party of soldiers. We heard of them soon after they passed 
Salt River. Some of our young braves watched them every day, 
to see what sort of people he had on board. The boat at length 
arrived at Rock River, and the young chief came on shore with his 
interpreter, and made a speech and gave us some presents. We in 
turn presented them with meat and such other provisions as we 
had to spare. We were well pleased Avith the young chief. He 
gave us good advice, and said our American father would treat us 
well." 

The events which soon followed Pike's expedition were the erec- 
tion of Fort Edwards, at what is now Warsaw, Illinois, and Fort 
Madison, on the site of the present town of that name, the latter 
being the first fort erected in Iowa. These movements occasioned 
great uneasiness among the Indians. When work was commenced 
on Fort Edwards, a delegation from their nation, headed by some 
of their chiefs, went down to see what the Americans were doing, 
and had an interview with the commander; after which they 
returned home apparently satisfied. In like manner, when Fort 
Madison was being erected, they sent down another delegation 
from a council of the nation held at Rock River. According to 
Black Hawk's account, the American chief told them that he was 
building a house for a trader who was coming to sell them goods 
cheap, and that the soldiers were coming to keep him company — - 
a statement which Black Hawk says they distrusted at the time, 
believing that the fort was an encroachment upon their rights, and 
designed to aid in getting their lands away from them. 

It has been held by good American authorities, that the erection 
of Fort Madison at the point where it was located iras a violation 
of the treaty of 1804. By the eleventh article of that treaty, the 
United States had a right to build a fort near the mouth of the 
Wisconsin River; by article six they had bound themselves "that 
if any citizen of the United States or any other white persons 
should form a settlement upon their lands, such intruders should 
fortliAvith be removed." Probably the authorities of the United 
States did not regard the establishment of military posts as coming 
properly within the meaning of the term ''settlement," as used in 
the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort Madison within the 
territory reserved to the Indians, who became very indignant. Not 
long after the fort Avas built, a party led by Black Hawk attempted 
its destruction. They sent spies to watch the movements of the 
garrison, who ascertained that the soldiers Avere in the habit of 
marching out of the fort every morning and evening for parade, 
and the plan of the party was to conceal themselves near the fort, 
and attack and surprise them Avhen they were outside. On the 
morning of the proposed day of attack, five soldiers came out and 



26 HISTORY O; IOWA. 

were fired upon by the Indians, two of them being killed. The 
Indians were too hasty in their movement, for the regular drill had 
not yet commenced. However, they kept up the attack for sev- 
eral days, attempting the old Fox strategy of setting fire to the 
fort with blazing arrows; but finding their efforts unavailing, they 
soon gave up and returned to Rock River. 

When wnr was declared between the United States and Great 
Britain, in 1812, Black Hawk and his band allied themselves with 
the British, partly because he was dazzled by their specious prom- 
ises, and more probably because they had been deceived by the 
Americans. Black Hawk himself declared that they were "forced 
into the war by being deceived." He narrates the circumstances 
as follows: "Several of the chiefs and head men of the Sacs and 
Foxes were called upon to go to Washington to see their Great 
Father. On their return, they related what had been said and 
done. They said the Great Father wished them, in the event of a 
war taking place with England, not to interfere on either side, but 
to remain neutral. He did not want our help, but wished us to 
hunt and support our families, and live in peace. He said that 
British traders would not be peimitted to come on the Mississippi 
to furnish us with goods, but that w^e should be supplied with an 
American trader. Our chiefs then told him that the British trad- 
ers always gave them credit in the fall for guns, powder and goods, 
to enable us to hunt and clothe our families. He repeated that 
the traders at Fort Madison would have plenty of goods; that we 
should go there in the fall and he would supply us on credit, as 
the British traders had done." 

Black Hawk seems to have accepted of this proposition, and he 
and his people were very much pleased. Acting in good faith, 
they fitted out for their winter's hunt, and went to Fort Madison 
in high spirits to receive from the trader their outfit of supplies. 
But, aft'^r waiting some time, they were told by the trader 
that he would not trust them. It was in vain that they pleaded the 
promise of their great father at Washington. Iht trader was inex- 
orable; and, disappointed and crestfallen, they turned sadly toward 
their own village. "Few of us," says Black Hawk, "slept that night; 
all was gloom and discontent. In the morning a canoe was seen 
ascending the river; it soon arrived, bearing an express, who 
brought intelligence that a British trader had landed at Rock 
Island with two boats loaded with goods, and requested us to come 
up immediately, because he had good news for us, and a variety of 
presents. The express presented us with tobacco, pipes and 
wampum. The news ran through our camp like fire on a prairie. 
Our lodges were soon taken down, and all started for Rock Island. 
Here ended all hopes of our remaining at peace, having been 
forced into the war by being deceived." 

He joined the British, who flattered him, styled him "General 
Black Hawk," decked him with medals, excited his jealousies 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 27 

against the Americans, and armed his band; but he met with de- 
feat and disappointment, and soon abandoned the service and came 
home. 

With all his skill and courage, Black Hawk was unable to lead 
all the S acs and Fo xes into hostilities to the Unit ed States. A 
portion of them, at the head of whom was Keoku k ("the Watch- 
ful Fox "), were disposed to abide by the treaty of 1804, and to 
cultivate friendly relations with the American people. Therefore, 
when Black Hawk and his band joined the fortunes of Great 
Britain, the rest of the nation remained neutral, and, for protec- 
tion, organized, with Keokuk for their chief. This divided the 
nation into the " War and the Peace Party." 

Black Hawk says he was informed, after he had gone to the 
war, that the nation, which had been reduced to so small a body 
of fighting men, were unable to defend themselves in case the 
Americans should attack them, and having all the old men and 
women and children belonging to the warriors who had joined the 
British on their hands to provide for, a council was held, and it 
was agreed that Quash-qua-me (the Lance) and other chiefs, to- 
gether with the old men, women and children, and such others as 
chose to accompany them, should go to St. Louis and place them- 
selves under the American chief stationed there. They according- 
ly went down, and were received as the " friendly band " of the 
Sacs and Foxes, and were provided for and sent up the Missouri 
River. On Black Hawk's return from the British arm}^, he says 
Keokuk was introduced to him as the war chief of the braves then in 
the village. He inquired how he had become chief, and was in- 
formed that their spies had seen a large armed force going toward 
Peoria, and fears were entertained of an attack u])on the village; 
-whereupon a council was held, which concluded to leave the village 
and cross over to the west side of the Mississippi. Keokuk had 
ibeen standing at the door of the lodge where the council was held, 
not being allowed to enter on account of never having killed an 
■enemy, where he remained until Wa-co-me came out. Keokuk 
asked permission to speak in the council, which Wa-co-me obtained 
for him. Keokuk then addressed the chiefs; he remonstrated 
against the desertion of their village, their own homes and the 
graves of their fathers, and offered to defend the village. The 
council consented that he should be their war chief. He marshaled 
his braves, sent out spies, and advanced on the trail leading to 
Peoria, but returned without seeing the enemy. The Americans 
■did not disturb the village, and all were satisfied with the appoint- 
ment of Keokuk. 

Keokuk, like Bl ack Ha wk, was a descendant of th e Sac b ranch 
■of the nation, and was born on Rock River, in 1780. He was of 
a pacific disposition, but possessed the elements of true courage, 
and could fight, when occasion required, with a cool judgment and 
Jieroic energy. In his first battle, he encountered and killed a 



28 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Sioux, which placed him in the rank of warriors, and he was 
honored with a public feast by his tribe in commemoration of the 
event. 

Keokuk has been described as an orator, entitled to rank with 
the most gifted of his race. In person, he was tall and of portly 
bearing; in his public speeches, he displayed a commanding atti- 
tude and graceful gestures; he spoke rapidly, but his enunciation 
was clear, distinct and forcible; he culled his figures from the 
stores of nature, and based his arguments on skillful logic. Un- 
fortunately for the reputation of Keokuk as an orator, among 
white people, he was never able to obtain an interpreter who could 
claim even a slight acquaintance with philosophy. With oue ex- 
ception only, his interpreters were unacquainted with the elements 
of their mother-tongue. Of this serious hindrance to his fame, 
Keokuk was well aware, and retained Frank Labershure, who had 
received a rudimental education in the French and English 
languages, until the latter broke down by dissipation and died. 
But during the meridian of his career among the white people, he 
was compelled to submit his speeches for translation to uneducated 
men, whose range of thought fell below the flights of a gifted 
mind, and the fine imagery drawn from nature w^as beyond their 
power of reproduction. He had sufficient knowledge of the 
English language to make him sensible of this bad rendering of 
his thoughts, and often a feeling of mortification at the bungling 
efforts was depicted on his countenance while speaking. The 
proper place to form a correct estimate of his ability as an orator 
was in the Indian council, where he addressed himself exclusively 
to those Avho understood his language, and witness the electrical 
effect of his eloquence upon his audience. 

Keokuk seems to have possessed a more sober judgment, and to 
have had a more intelligent view of the great strength and re- 
sources of the United States, than his noted and restless cotempor- 
ary. Black Hawk. He knew from the first that the reckless war 
which Black Hawk and his band had determined to carry on could 
result in nothing but defeat and disaster, and used every argument 
against it. The large number of warriors whom he had dissuaded 
from following Black Hawk became, however, greatly excited with 
the war spirit after Stillman's defeat, and but for the signal tact 
displayed by Keokuk on that occasion, would have forced him to 
submit to their wishes in joining the rest of the warriors in the 
field. A war-dance was held, and Keokuk took part in it, seeming 
to be moved with the current of the rising storm. When the 
dance was over, he called the council to prepare for war. He made 
a speech, in which he admitted the justice of their complaints 
against the Americans. To seek redress was a noble aspiration of 
their nature. The blood of their brethren had been shed by the 
white man, and the spirits of their braves, slain in battle, called 
loudly for vengeance. '' I am your chief," he said, '^ and it is my 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 29 

duty to lead you to battle, if, after fully considering the matter, 
you are determined to go. But before you decide on taking this 
important step, it is wise to inquire into the chances of success." 
He then portrayed to them the great power of the United States, 
against whom they would have to contend, that their chances of 
success was utterly hopeless. "But," said he, "if you do determine 
to go upon the war-path, I will agree to lead you, on one condition, 
viz: that before we go, we will kill all our old men and our wives 
and children, to save them from a lingering death of starvation, 
and that every one of us determine to leave our homes on the 
■other side of the Mississippi. 

This was a strong but truthful picture of the prospect before 
them, and was presented in such a forcible light as to cool their 
ardor, and cause them to abandon the rash undertaking. 

But during the war 01-1832, it is now considered certain that 
small bands of Indians, from the west side of the Mississippi, made 
incursions into the white settlements, in the lead mining region, 
and committed some murders and depredations. 

When peace was declared between the United States and Eng- 
land, Black Hawk was required to make peace with the former, 
and entered into a treaty at Portage des Sioux, September 14, 
1815, but did not ''touch the goose-quill to it until May 13, 1816, 
when he smoked the pipe of peace with the great white chief," at 
St. Louis. This treaty was a renewal of the treaty of 1804, but 
Black Hawk declared he had been deceived; that he did not know 
that by signing the treaty he was giving away^ his village. This 
weighed upon his mind, already soured by previous disappointment 
and the irresistible encroachments of the whites; and Avhen a few 
years later, he and his people were dj'iven from their possessions 
by the military, he determined to return to the home of his 
fathers. 

It is also to be remarked that in 1816. by treaty with various 
tribes, the United States relinquished to the Indians all the lands 
lying north of a line' drawn from a southerraost point of Lake 
Michigan west to the Mississippi, except a reservation live leagues 
square, on the Mississippi River, supposed then to be sufficient to 
include all the mineral lands on and adjacent to Fever River, and 
one league square at the mouth of the Wisconsin River, 

THE KLACK HAWK WAR. 

The immediate cause of the Indian outbreak in 1830 was the 
occupation of Black Hawk's village, on the Rock River, by the 
whites, during the absence of the chief and his braves on a hunt- 
ing expedition, on the west side of the Mississippi. When they 
returned they found their wigwams occupied by white families, 
and their own women and children were shelterless on the banks 
•of the river. The Indians were indignant, and determined to re- 
possess their village at all hazards, and early in the spring of 1831 



30 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

recrossed the Mississippi and menacingly took possession of their 
own cornfields and cabins. It may be well to remark here that 
it was expressly stipulated in the treaty of 1804,- to which they at- 
tributed all their troubles, that the Indians should not be obliged 
to leave their lauds until they were sold by the United States, and 
it does not appear that they occupied any lands other than those 
owned by the (jovernment. If this was true, the Indians had good 
cause for indignation and complaint. But the whites, driven out 
in turn by the returning Indians, became so clamorous against what 
they termed the encroachments of the natives, that Gov. Reynolds, 
of Illinois, ordered Gen. Gaines to Rock Island with a military 
force to drive the Indians again from their homes to the west side 
of the Mississippi. Black Hawk says he did not intend to be pro- 
voked into war by anything less than the blood of some of his own 
people; in other words, that there would be no war unless it should 
be commenced by the pale faces. But it was said and probably 
thought by the military commanders along the frontier, that the 
Indians intended to unite in a general war against the whites^ 
from Rock River to the Mexican borders. But it does not appear 
that the hardy frontiersmen themselves had any fears, for their 
experience had been that, when well treated, their Indian neigh- 
bors were not dangerous. Black Hawk and his band had done no 
more than to attempt to repossess the old homes of which they had 
been deprived in their absence. No blood had been shed. Black 
Hawk and his chiefs sent a flag of truce, and a new treaty was 
made, by which Black Hawk and his band agreed to remain for- 
ever on the Iowa side and never recross the river without the per- 
mission of the President or the Governor of Illinois. Whether 
the Indians clearly understood the terms of this treaty is uncer- 
tain. As was usual, the Indian traders had dictated terms on 
their behalf, and they had received a large amount of provisions, 
etc., from the Government, but it may well be doubted whether 
the Indians comprehended that they could never revisit the graves 
of their fathers without violating their treaty. They undoubtedly 
thought that they had agreed never to recross the Mississippi with 
hostile intent. However this may be, on the 6th day of April, 
1832, Black Hawk and his entire band, with their women and chil- 
dren, again recrossed the Mississippi in plain view of the garrison 
of Fort Armstrong, and went up Rock River. Although this act 
was construed into an act of hostility by the military authorities, 
who declared that Black Hawk intended to recover his village, or 
the site where it stood, by force; yet it does not appear that he 
made any such attempt, nor did his appearance create any special 
alarm among the settlers. They knew that the Indians never 
went on the war path encumbered with the old men, their women 
and their children. 

The Galenian^ printed in Galena, of May 2d, 1832, says that 
Black Hawk was invited by the Prophet and had taken possession 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 31 

of a tract about forty miles up Rock River; but that he did 
not remain there long, but commenced his search up Rock 
River. Captain W. B. Green, who served in Captain Ste- 
venson's company of mounted rangers, says that "Black 
Hawk and his band crossed the river with no hostile in- 
tent, but that his band had had bad luck in hunting during the 
previous winter, were actually in a starving condition, and had 
come over to spend the summer with a friendly tribe on the head 
waters of the Rock and Illinois Rivers, by invitation from their 
chief. Other old settlers who all agree that Black Hawk had no 
idea of fighting, say that he came back to the west side expecting 
to negotiate another treaty, and get a new supply of provisions. 
The most reasonable explanation of this movement, which resulted 
so disastrously to Black Hawk and his starving people, is that, 
during the fall and winter of 1831-2, his people became deeply in- 
debted to their favorite trader at E'ort Armstrong (Rock Island), 
they had not been fortunate in hunting, and he was likely to lose 
heavily, as an Indian debt was outlawed in one year. If, therefore, 
the Indians could be induced to come over, and the fears of the 
military could be sufficiently aroused to pursue them, another 
treaty could be negotiated, and from the payments from the Gov- 
ernment the shrewd trader could get his pay. Just a week after 
Black Hawk crossed the river, on the 13th of April, 1832, George 
Davenport wrote to Gen. Atkinson: ''I am informed that the 
British band of Sac Indians are determined to make war on the 
frontier settlements. * * * Prom every information 
that I have received, I am of the opinion that the intention of the 
British band of Sac Indians is to commit depredations on the in- 
habitants of the frontier." And yet, from the 6th day of April, 
until after Stillman's men commenced war by firing on a flag of 
truce from Black Hawk, no murders nor depredations were com- 
mitted by the British band of Sac Indians. 

It is not the purpose of this sketch to detail the incidents of the 
Black Hawk war of 1832, as it pertains rather to the history of 
the State of Illinois. It is sufficient to say that, after the dis- 
graceful affair at Stillman's Run, Black Hawk, concluding that the 
whites, refusing to treat with him, were determined to extermin- 
ate his people, determined to return to the Iowa side of the Missis- 
sippi. He could not return by the way he came, for the array was 
behind him, an army, too, that would sternly refuse to recognize 
the white flag of peace. His only course was to make his way 
northward and reach the Mississippi, if possible, before the troops 
could overtake him, and this he did; but, before he could get his 
women and children across the Wisconsin, he was overtaken, and 
a battle ensued. Here, again, he sued for peace, and, through 
his trusty Lieutenant, ''the Prophet," the whites were plainly in- 
formed that the starving Indians did not wish to fight, but would 
return to the west side of the Mississippi, peaceably, if they could 



32 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

be permitted to do so. No attention was paid to this second effort 
to negotiate peace, and, as soon as supplies could be obtained, the 
pursuit was resumed, the flying Indians were overtaken again eight 
miles before they reached the mouth of the Bad Axe, and the 
slaughter (it should not be dignified by the name of battle) com- 
menced. Here, overcome by starvation and the victorious whites, 
his band was scattered, on the 2d day of August, 1832. Black 
Hawk escaped, but was brought into camp at Prairie du Chien by 
three Winnebagoes. He was confined in Jefferson Barracks until 
the spring of 1833, when he was sent to Washington, arriving 
there April 22. On the 26th of April, they were taken to Fortress 
Monroe, where they remained till the 4th of June, 1833, when 
orders were given for them to be liberated and returned to their own 
country. By order of the President, he was brought back to Iowa 
through the principal Eastern cities. Crowds flocked to see him 
all along his route, and he was very much flattered by the atten- 
tions he received. He lived among his people on the Iowa River 
till that reservation was sold, in 1836, when, with the rest of the 
Sacs and Foxes, he removed to the Des Moines Reservation, where 
he remained till his death, which occurred on the 3d of October, 
1838. 

INDIAN" PURCHASES, RESERVES AND TREATIES. 

At the close of the Black Hawk War, in 1832, a treaty was made 
at a council held on the west bank of the Mississippi, where now 
stands the thriving city of Davenport, on grounds now occupied by 
the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad company, on the 21st 
day of September, 1832. At this council, the United States were 
represented by Gen. Winfield Scott and Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois. 
Keokuk, Pash-a-pa-ho and some thirty other chiefs and warriors of 
the Sac and Fox nation were present. By this treaty, the Sacs and 
Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of land on the eastern 
border of Iowa, fifty miles wide, from the northern boundary of 
Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa River, containing about 
six million acres. The western line of the purchase was parallel 
with the Mississippi. In consideration of this cession, the United 
States Government stipulated to pay annually to the confederated • 
tribes, for thirty consecutive years, twenty thousand dollars in 
specie, and to pay the debts of the Indians at Rock Island, which 
had been accumulating for seventeen years, and amounted to fifty 
thousand dollars, due to Davenport & Farnham, Indian traders. 
The Government also generously donated to the Sac and Fox 
women and children, whose husbands and fathers had fallen in the 
Black Hawk war, thirty-five beef cattle, twelve bushels of salt, 
thirty barrels of pork, fifty barrels of flour and six thousand 
bushels of corn. 

This territory is known as the " Black Hawk Purchase," 
Although it was not the first portion of Iowa ceded to the United 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 33 

States by the Sacs and Foxes, it was the first opened to actual 
settlement by the tide of emigration that flowed across the Mis- 
sissippi as soon as the Indian title was extinguished. The treaty 
was ratified February 13, 1833, and took effect on the 1st of June 
following, when the Indians cjuietly removed from the ceded ter- 
ritory, and this fertile and beautiful region was opened to white 
settlers. 

By the terms of the treaty, out of the Black Hawk Purchase 
was reserved for the Sacs and Foxes 400 square miles of land 
situated on the Iowa River, and including within its limits Keo- 
kuk's village, on the right bank of that river. This tract was 
known as " Keokuk's Reserve," and was occupied by the Indians 
until 1836, when, by a treaty made in September between them 
and Grov. Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory, it was ceded to the 
United States. The council was held on the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi, above Davenport, and was the largest assemblage of the 
kind ever held by the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of lands. 
About one thousand of their chiefs and braves were present, and 
Keokuk was their leading spirit and principal speaker on the occa- 
sion. By the terms of the treaty, the Sacs and Foxes Avere re- 
moved to another reservation on the Des Moines River, where an 
agency was established for them at what is now the town of 
Agency City. 

Besides the Keokuk Reserve, the Government gave out of the 
Black Hawk Purchase to A.ntoine Le Claire, interpreter, in fee 
simple, one section of land opposite Rock Island, and another at 
the head of the first rapids above the island, on the Iowa side. 
This was the first land title granted by the United States to an in- 
dividual in Iowa. 

Soon after the removal of the Sacs and Foxes to their new 
reservation on the Des Moines River, Gen. Joseph M. Street was 
transferred from the agency of the Winnebagoes, at Prairie du 
Chien, to establish an agency among them. A farm was selected, 
on which the necessary buildings were erected, including a com- 
fortable farm house for the agent and his family, at the expense of 
the Indian Fund. A salaried agent was employed to superintend 
the farm and dispose of the crops^ Two mills were erected, one 
on Soap Creek, and the other on Sugar Creek. The latter was 
soon swept away by a flood, but the former remained and did good 
service for many years. Connected with the agency were Joseph 
Smart and John Goodell, interpreters. The latter was interpre- 
ter for Hard Fish's band. Three of the Indian chiefs, Keokuk, 
Wapello and Appanoose, had each a large field improved, the two 
former on the right bank of the Des Moines, back from the river, 
in what is now " Keokuk's Prairie." and the latter on the present 
site of the city of Ottumwa. Among the traders connected with 
the agency were the Messrs. Ewing, from Ohio, and Phelp s & C^-, 



34 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

from Illinois, and also Mr. J. P. Eddy, who established his post at 
what is now the sita of Eddyviile. 

The Indians at this agency became idle and listless in the 
absence of their natural and wonted excitements, and many of 
them plunged into dissipation. Keokuk himself became dissipated 
in the latter years of his life, and it has been reported that he 
died of deJirinm tremens after his removal with his tribe to Kansas, 

In May, 1843, most of the Indians were removed up the Des 
Moines River, above the temporary line of Red Rock, having ceded 
the remnant of their lands in Iowa to the United States on the 
21st of September, 1837, and on the 11th of October, 1842. By 
the terms of the latter treaty, they held possession of the ''New 
Purchase" till the Autumn of 1815, when the most of them were 
removed to their reservation in Kansas, the balance being removed 
in the Spring of 1846. 

1. Treaty tvlth the Sfojt.r— Made July 19, 1815; ratified December 16, 1815. 
This treaty was made at Portage des Sioux, between the Sioux of Minnesota 
and Upper Iowa and the United States, by William Clark and Ninian Edwards, 
Commissioners, and was merely a treaty of peace and friendship on the part of 
those Indians toward the United States at the close of the war of 1812. 

2. Treaty with the Sacs. — A similar treaty of peace was made at Portage 
des Sioux, between the United States and the Sacs, by William Clark, Ninian 
Edwards and Auguste Choteau, on the ISth of September, 1815, and ratified at 
the same date as the above. In this, the treaty of 1804 was re-affirmed, and 
the Sacs here represented promis^ed for themselves and their bands to keep en- 
tirely separate from the Sacs of Rock River, who, under Black Hawk, had joined 
the British m the war just then closed. 

3. Treaty tvith the Foxes. — A separate treaty of peace was made with the 
Foxes at_ Portage des Sioux, by the same Commissioners, on the 14th of Septem- 
ber, 1815, and ratified the same as the above, wherein the Foxes re-affirmed the 
treaty of St. Louis, of November 3, 1804, and agreed to deliver up all their pris- 
oners to the officer in command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illinois. 

4. Treaty tvith the loivas. — A treaty of peace and mutual good will was 
made between the United States and the Iowa tribe of Indians, at Portage des 
Sioux, by the same Commissioners as above, on the 16th of September, 1815, at 
the close of the war with Great Britain, and ratified at the same date as the 
others. 

5. Treaty with the Sact of Rock River — Made at St. Louis on the 13th of 
May, 1816, between the United States and the Sacs of Rock River, by the Com- 
missioners, William Clark, Ninian Edwards and Auguste Choteau, and ratified 
December 30th, 1816. In this treaty, that of 1804 was re-established and con- 
fimied by twenty-two chiefs and head men of the Sacs of Rock River, and Black 
Hawk himself attached to it his signature, or, as he said, "touched the goose 
quill." 

6. Treaty of 1824. — On the 4th of August, 1824, a treaty was made between 
the United States and the Sacs and Foxes, in the city of Washington, by 

William Clark, Commissioner, wherein the Sac and Fcx nation relinquished 
their title t3 all land^ in Missouri and that portion of the southeast corner of 
Iowa known as the "Half-Breel Tract" was set off and reserved for the use of 
the half-breeds of the Sacs and Foxes, they holding title in the same manner as 
Indians. Ratified January 18, 1825. 

7. Treaty of August 19, 1825. — At this date a treaty was made by WiUiara 
Clark and Lewis Cass, at Prairie du Chien, between the United States and the 
Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Menomonees, Winnebagoes and a portion of the 
Ottawas and Pottawatomies. In this treaty, in order to make peace oetween 
the contending tribes as to the limits of their respective hunting grounds in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 35 

Iowa, it was aj^reed that the Unite 1 States Government should run a boundary 
line between the Sioux, on the north, and the Sacs and Foxes, on the south, as 
follows: 

Comniencin,2r at the mouth of the Upper Iowa River, on the west bank of the 
Mississippi, and asconding said low i River to its west fork; thence up the fork 
to its source; thence crossing the fork of Red Cedar River in a direct line to the 
second or upp3r fork of the Des M )ine3 River; thence in a direct line to the 
lower fork of the Calumet River, and down that river to its junction with the 
Missouri River. 

8. Treat;/ of 1830.— On the 15th of July, 1830, the confederate tribes of the 
Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of country lying south of the 
above line, twenty miles in width, au I extending along the line aforesaid from 
the Mississippi to the Des Moines River. The Sioux also, whose possessions 
were north of the line, ceded to the Government, in the same treaty, a like strip 
on the north side of the boundary. Thus the United States, at the ratification 
of this treaty, February 24, 1831, came into possession of a portion of Iowa forty 
miles wide, extending along the Clark and Cass line of 1825, from the Missis- 
sippi to the Des Moines River. This territory was known as the "Neutral 
Ground," and the tribes on either side of the line were allowed to tish and hunt 
on it unmolested till it was made a Winnebago reservation, and the Winneba- 
goes were removed to it in 1841. 

9. Treaty ivith the Sacs and Foxes and other Tribes. — At the same time of 
the above treaty resp3cting the '"Neutral Ground'' (July 15, 1830), the Sacs and 
Foxe?, Western Sioix, Omx'ia^, lowas and Missouris C3d3d to the United States 
a portion of the western slope of Iowa, the boundaries of which were defined as 
follows : Beginning at the upper fork of the Des Moines River, and passing the 
sources of the Little Sioux ami Floyd Rivers, to the fork of the first creek that 
falls into the Big Sioux, or Cahimet, on the east side; thence down said creek 
and the Calumet River to the Mis^souri River; thence down said Missouri River 
to the Missouri State line above the Kansas; thence along said line to the north- 
west corner of said State; thence to the high lands between the waters falling 
into the MissDuri and Des Moines, passing to said high lands along the dividing 
ridge between the forks of the Grand River; thence along said high lands or 
ridge separating the waters of the Missouri from those of the Des Moines, to a 
point opposite the source of the Boyer River, and thence in a direct line to the 
upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of beginning. 

It was understood that the lands ceded and relinquished by this treaty were 
to be assigned and allotted, under the direction of the President of the United 
States, to the tribes then living thereon, or to such other tribes as the President 
might locate thereon for huntmg and other purposes. In consideration of three 
tracts of land ceded in this treaty, the United States agreed to pay to the Sacs 
three thousand dollars; to the Foxes, three thousand dollars; to the Sioux, two 
thousand dollars; to the Yankton and Santee bands of Sioux, three thousand 
dollars; to the Omahas, two thousand five hundred dollars; and to the Ottoes 
and Missouris, two thousand five hundred dollars — to be paid annually for ten 
successive years. In addition to these annuities, the Government agreed to fur- 
nish some of the tribes with blacksmiths and agricultural implements to the 
amount of two hundreil dollars, at the expense, of the United States, and to set 
apart three thousand dollars annually for the education of the children of these 
tribes. It does not appear that any fort was erected in this territory prior to the 
erection of Fort Atkinson on the Neutral Ground, in 1840-1. 

This treaty was made by William Clark, Superintendent of Indian affairs, and 
Col. Willoughby Morgan, of the United States First Infantry, and came into 
effect by proclamation, February 24, 1831. 

10. Treat// irifh the ]]linieb(((/oes. — Made at Fort Arm.strong, Rock Island, 
September 15, 1832, by Gen. Winfield Scott and Hon. John Reynolds, Governor 
of Illinois. In this treaty the Winnebagoes ceded to the United States all their 
land lying on the east side of the Mississippi, and in part consideration therefor 
the United States granted to the Winnebagoes, to be held as other Indian lands 
are held, that portion of Iowa known as the Neutral Ground. The exchange of 



36 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

the two tracts of country was to take placa on or before the 1st day of June, 1833. 
In addition to the Neutral Ground, it was stipulated that the United States 
should give the Winnebagoss, bsginning in September, 1833, and continuing for 
twenty-seven successive years, ten thousand dollars in specie, and establish a 
school among them, with a farm and garden, and provide other facilities for the 
education of their children, not to exceed in cast three thousand dollars a year, 
and to continue the same for twenty-seven successive yeais. Six agriculturists, 
twelve yoke of oxen and plows and other farming tools were to be supplied by 
the Government. 

11. Treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and Foxes. — Already mentioned as the 
Black Hawk purchase. 

12. Treat!/ of 1836, with the Sacs and Foxes, ceding Keokuk's Reserve to 
the United States ; for which the Government stipulated to pay thirty thousand 
dollars, and an annuity of ten thousand dollars for ten successive years, together 
with other sums and debts of the Indians to various parties. 

13. Treati) of 1837.— On the 21st of October. 1837, a treaty was made at the 
city of Washington, between Carey A. Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 
and the confederate tribes of Sacs and Foxes, ratified Febraary 21, 1838, wherein 
another sHce of the soil of Iowa was obtained, described in the treaty as foUows: 
"A tract of country containing 1,250,000 acres, lying west and adjoining the 
the tract conveyed by them to the United States in the treaty of September 21, 
1832. It is understood that the ^joints of termination for the present cession 
shall be the northern and southern points of said tract as fixed .by the survey 
made under the authority of the United States, and that a line shall be drawn 
between them so as to intersect a line extended westwardly from the angle of 
said tract nearly opposite to Rock Island, as laid down in the above survey, so 
far as may be necessary to include the number of acres hereby ceded, which last 
mentioned line, it is estimated, will be about twenty-five miles." 

This piece of land was twenty-five miles wide in the middle, and ran off to a 
jioint at both ends, lying directly back of the Black Hawk Purchase, and of 
the same length. 

14. Treat II of Relinqu'ishment. — At the same date as the above treaty, in 
the city of Washington, Carey A. Harris, Commissioner, the Sacs and Foxes 
ceded to the United States all their right and interest in the country lying south 
of the boundary line between the Sacs and Foxes and Sioux, as described in the 
treaty of August 19, 1825, and between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the 
United States paying for the same one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. The 
Indians also gave up all claims and interests under the treaties previously made 
with them, for the satisfaction of which no appropriations had been made. 

15. Treaty of 1842. — The last treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes Oc- 
tober 11, 1842; ratified March 23, 1843. It was made at the Sac and Fox 
agency (Agency City), by John Chambers, Commissioner on behalf of the United 
States. In this treaty the Sac and Fox Indians "ceded to the United States all 
their lands west of the Mississippi to which they had any claim or title." By 
the terms of this treaty they were to be removed from the country at the expi- 
ration of three years, and all who remained after that were to move at their 
own expense. Part of them were removed to Kansas in the Fall of 1845, and 
the rest the Spring following. 

SPANL<H GRANTS. 

While the. territory now embraced in the State of Iowa wavS un- 
der Spanish rule as a part ol: its province of Louisiana, cer- 
tain claims ^to and grants of land were made by the Spanish 
authorities, with which, in addition to the extinguishment of In- 
dian titles, the United States hr.d to deal. It is proper that these 
should be briefly reviewed. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 37 

Dubuque — on the22d day of Septeml)er, 1788, Julien Dubuque, 
a Frenchman, from Prairie du (Jhien, obtained from the Foxes a ces- 
sion or lease of hinds on the Mississippi River for mining purposes, 
on the site of the present city of Dubuque. Lead had been dis- 
covered here eight years before, in 1780, by the wife of Peosta Fox, 
a warrior, and Dubuque's claim embraced nearly all the lead bear- 
ing lands in that vicinity. He immediately took possession of his 
claim and commenced mining, at the same time making a settle- 
ment. The place became known as the " Spanish Miners,'' or, 
more commonly, "" Dubuque's Lead Mines." 

In 1796, Dubuque filed a petition with Baron de Carondelet, the 
Spanish Governor of Louisiana, asking that the tract ceded to him 
by the Indians might be granted to him by patent from the Span- 
ish Grovernment. In this petition Dubuque rather indefinitely set 
forth the boundaries of his claim as "about seven leagues along 
the Missippi River, and three leagues in width from the river," in- 
tending to include, as is supposed, the river front between the Lit- 
tle Maquoketa and the Tete des Mertz Rivers, embracing more than 
twenty thousand acres. Carondelet granted the prayer of the pe- 
tition, and the grant was subsequently confirmed by the Board of 
Land Commissioners of Louisiana. 

In October 1804, Dubuque transferred the larger part of his 
claim to Auguste Choteau^ of St. Louis, and on the 17th of May, 
1805, he and Choteau jointly filed their claims with the Board of 
Commissioners. On the 20tli of September, 1806, the Board de- 
cided in their favor, pronouncing the claim to be a regular Spanish 
grant, made and completed prior to the 1st day of October, 1800, 
only one member, J. B. C. Lucas, dissenting. 

Dubuque died march 21, 1810. The Indians, understanding that 
the claim of Dubuque under their former act of cession was only 
a permit to occupy the tract and work the mines during his life, 
and that at his death they reverted to them, took possession and 
continued mining operations, and were sustained by the military 
authority of the United States, notwithstanding the decision of the 
Commissioners. When the Black Hawk purchase was consummated 
the Dubuque claim thus held by the Indians was absorbed by the 
United States, as the Sacs and Foxes made no reservation of it in 
the treaty of 1832. y 

The heirs of Choteau, however, were not disposed to relinquish 
their claim without a struggle. Late in 1832, they employed an 
agent to look after their interests, and authorized him to lease the 
right to dig lead on the lands. The miners wlio commenced work 
under this agent were compelled by the military to abandon their 
operations, and one of the claimants went to Galena to institute 
legal proceedings, but found no court of competent jurisdiction, 
although he did bring an action for the recovery of a quantity of 
lead dug at Dubur^ue, for the purpose of testing the title. Being 
unable to identify the lead, however, he was non-suited. 



38 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

By act of Congress, approved July 2, 1836, the town of Dubuque 
was surveyed and platted. After,lots had been sold and occupied 
by the purchasers. Henry Choteau brought an action of ejectment 
against Patrick Malony, who held land in Dubuque under a patent 
from the United States, for the recovery of seven undivided eighth 
parts of the Dubuque claim, as purchased by Auguste Choteau in 
1804. The case was tried in the District Court of the United 
States for the District of Iowa, and was decided adversely to the 
V^laintiff . The case was carried to the Supreme Court of the United 
States on a writ of error, when it was heard at the December term, 
1853, and the decision of the lower court was affirmed, the court 
holding that the permit from Carondolet was merely a lease, or 
permit to work the mines; that Dubuque asked, and the Governor 
of Louisiana granted, nothing more than the "peaceable posses- 
sion" of certain lands obtained from the Indians; that Carondolet 
had no legal authority to make such a grant as claimed, and that, 
even if he had, this was but an "inchoate and imperfect title." 

Girard.- — In 1795, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana 
granted to Basil Girard five thousand eight hundred and sixty acres 
of land, in what is now Clayton County, known as the '' Girard 
Tract." He occupied the land during the time that Iowa passed 
from Spain to France, and from France to the United States, in 
consideration of which the Federal Government granted a patent 
of the same to Girard in his own right. His heirs sold the whole 
tract to James H. Lockwood and Thomas P. Burnett, of Prairie du 
Chien, for three hundred dollars. 

Ho7iori. — March 30, 1799, Zenon Trudeau, acting Lieutenant 
Governor of Upper Louisiana, granted to Louis Honori a tract of 
land on the site of the present town of Montrose, as follows: "It 
is permitted to Mr. Louis (Fresson) Honori, or Louis Hon ore Fes- 
son, to establish himself at the head of the rapids of the River Des 
Moines, and his establishment once formed, notice of it shall be 
given to the Governor General, in order to obtain for him a com- 
mission of a space sufficient to give value to such establishment, 
and at the same time to render it useful to the commerce of the 
peltries of this country, to watch the Indians and keep them in the 
fidelity which they owe to His Majesty." 

Honori took immediate possession of his claim, which he retained 
until 1805. Whil^ trading with the natives he became indebted to 
Joseph Robedoux/who obtained an execution on which the prop- 
erty was sold May 13, 1803, and was purchased by the creditor. 
In these proceedings the property was described as being " about 
six leagues above the River Des Moines." Robedoux died soon 
after he purchased the property. Auguste Choteau. his executor, 
disposed of the Honori tract to Thomas F. Reddeck, in April, 1805, 
up to which time Honori continued to occupy it. The grant, as 
made by the Spanish Government, was a league square, but only 
one mile square was confirmed by the United States. After the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 39 

half-breeds sold their lands, in which the Honori ojrant was includ- 
ed, various claimauts resorted t() liti^ ation in attempts to invalidate 
the title ol: the Keddeck heirs, but it was finally conhrnied by a 
decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1839, and 
is the oldest legal title to any laud in the State of Iowa. 

THE HALF-BREED TRACT. 

Before any permanent settlement had been made in the Territo- 
ry of Iowa, white adventurers, trappers and traders, many of whom 
were scattered along the Mississippi and its tributaries, as agents 
and employes of the American Fur Company, intermarried with 
the females of the Sac and Fox Indians, producing a race of half- 
breeds, whose number was never definitely ascertained. There 
were some respectable and excellent people among them, children 
of men of some refinement and education. For instance: Dr. 
Muir, a gentlemen educated at Edinburgh, Scotland, a surgeon in 
the United States Army, stationed at a military post located on the 
present site of Warsaw, married an Indian woman, and reared his 
family of three daughters in the city of Keokuk. Other examples 
might be cited, but they are probably exceptions to the general 
rule, and the race is now nearly or quite extinct in Iowa. 

A treaty was made at Washington, August 4, 1824, between the 
Sacs and Foxes and the United States, by which that portion of 
Lee County was reserved to the half-breeds of those ti'ibes, and 
which was afterward known as "The Half-Breed Tract." This 
reservation is the triangular piece of land, containing about 119,- 
000 acre:^, lying between the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers. • 
It is bounded on the north by the prolongation of the northern 
line of Missouri. This line was intended to be a straight one, 
running due east, which would have caused it to strike the Miss- 
issippi River at or below Montrose; but the surveyor who run it 
took no notice of the change in the variation of the needle as he 
proceeded eastward, and, in consequence, the line he run was bent, 
deviating more and more to the northward of a direct line as he 
approached the Mississippi, so that it struck that river at the lower 
edge of the town of Fort Madison. ''This erroneous line." says 
Judge Mason, "has been acquiesced in as well infixing the north- 
ern limit of the Half-Breed Tract as in determining the northern 
boundary line of the State of Missouri." The line thus run in- 
cluded in the reservation a portion of the lower part of the city of 
Fort Madison, and all of the present townships of Van Buren, 
Charleston, Jefferson, Des Moines, Montrose and Jackson. 

Under the treaty of 1824, the half-breeds had the right to oc- 
cupy the soil but could not convey it, the reversion being reserved 
to the United States. But on the oOth day of January, 1834, by 
act of Congress, this r eversionar y right was relinq uish ed, and the 
half-breeds acquired the lands in fee simple. This was no sooner 



40 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

done, thana horde of speculators rushed in to buy land of the half- 
breed owners, and, in many instances, a gun, a blanket, a pony or 
a few quarts of whisky was sufficient for the purchase of large 
estates. There was a deal of sharp practice on both sides; Indians 
would often claim ownership of land by virtue of being half-breeds 
and had no difficulty in proving their mixed blood by the L.dians, 
and they would then cheat the speculators by selling land to which 
they had no rightful title. On the other hand, speculators often 
claimed land in which they had no ownership. It was diamond cut 
diamond, until at last things became badly mixed. There was no 
authorized surveys, and no boundry lines to claims, and, as a nat- 
ural result, numerous conflicts and quarrels ensued. 

To settle these difficulties, to decide the validity of claims or sell 
them for the benefit of the real owners, by act of the Legislature 
of Wisconsin Territory, approved January 16, 1838, Edward John- 
stone, Thomas S. Wilson and David Brigham were appointed 
Commissioners, and clothed with power to effect these objects. 
The act provided that these Commissioners should be paid six dol- 
lars a day each. The commission entered upon its duties and con- 
tinued until the next session of the Legislature, when the act cre- 
ating it was repealed, invalidating all that had been done and de- 
priving the Commissioners of their pay. The repealing act, how- 
ever, authorized the Commissioners to commence action against 
the owners of the Half-Breed Tract, to receive pay for their servi- 
ces, in the District Court of Lee County. Two judgments were 
obtained, and on execution the whole of the tract was sold to 
Hugh T. Reid, the Sheriff executing the deed. Mr. Reidsold por- 
.tions of it to various parties, but his own title was questioned and 
he became involved in litigation. Decisions in favor of Reid and 
those holding under him were made by both District and Supreme 
Courts, but in December, 1850 these decisions Avere finally reversed 
by the Supreme Court of the LTnited States in the case of Joseph 
Webster, plautiff in error, vs. Hugh T. Reid, and the judgment 
titles failed. About nine years before the '"judgment titles" were 
finally abrogated as a above, another class of titles were brought 
into competition with them, and in the conflict between the two, 
the final decision was obtained. These were the titles based on 
the "decree of partition" issued by the United States District" 
Court for the Territory of Iowa, on the 8th of May, 1811, and 
certified to by the Clerk on the 2d day of June of that year. Ed- 
ward Johnstone and Hugh T. Reid, then law partners at Fort 
Madison, filed the petition for the decree in behalf of the St. Louis 
claimants of half-breed lands. Francis S. Key, author of the Star 
Spangled Banner, who was then attorney for the new York Land 
Company, which held heavy interest in these lands, took a leading 
part in the measure, and drew up the document in which it was 
presented to the court. Judge Charles Mason, of Burlington, pre- 
sided. The plan of partition divided the tract into one hundred 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 41 

and one shares, and arranged that each claimant should draw his 
proportion by lot, and should abide the result, whatever it might 
be. The arrangement was entered into, the lots drawn, and the 
plat of the same filed in the Recorder's office, October 6, 1841. 
Upon this basis the titles to land in the Half-Breed Tract are now 
held. 

EARLY iSETTLEMENTS. 

The first permanent settlement by the whites within the limits 
of Iowa was made by Julien Dubuque, in 1788, when with a small 
party of miners, he settled on the site of the city that now bears 
his name, where he lived until his death, in 1810. Louis Honori 
settled on the site of the present town of Montrose, probably in 
1799, and resided there until 1805, Avhen his property passed into 
other hands. Of the Girard settlement, opposite Prairie du Chien, 
little is known except that it was occupied by some parties prior to 
the commencement of the present century and contained three 
cabins in 1805. Indian traders, although not strictly to be con- 
sidered settlers had established themselves at various points at an 
early date. A Mr. Johnson, Agent of the American Fur Com- 
pany, had a trading post below Burlington, where he carried on 
traffic with the Indians some time before the United States possessed 
the country. In 1820, Le Moliese, a French trader, had a sta- 
tion at what is now Sandusky, six miles above Keokuk, in Lee 
County. In 1829, Dr. Isaac Gallaud made a settlement on the 
Lower Rapids, at what is now Nashville. 

The first settlement in Lee County was made in 1820, by Dr. 
Samuel C. Muir, a surgeon in the United States army, who had 
been stationed at Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, 111., and who built 
a cabin where the city of Keokuk niw stands. 

Messrs. Reynolds & Culver, who had leased Dr. Muir's claim at 
Keokuk, subsequently employed as their agent Mr. Moses Still- 
well, who arrived with his family in 1828, and took possession of 
Muir's cabin. His brothers-in-law, Amos and Valencourt Van 
Ansdal, came with him and settled near. 

His daughter, Margaret Stillwell (afterward Mrs. Ford) was 
born in 1831, at the foot of the rapids, called by the Indians Puch- 
a-she-tuck, where Keokuk now stands. She was probably the first 
white American child born in [owa. 

In 1831, Mr. Johnson, agent of the American Fur Company, 
who had a station at the foot of the rapids, removed to another 
location, and. Dr. Muir having returned from Galena, he and 
Isaac R. Campbell took the place and buildings vacated by the 
Company, and carried on trade with the Indians and half-breeds. 
Campbell, who had first visited and traveled through the southern 
part of Iowa, in 1821, w^as an enterprising settler, and besides 
trading with the natives, carried on a farm and kept a tavern. 

Dr. Muir died of cholera in 1832. 



42 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

In 1830, James L. and Lucius H. Langworthy, brothers and na- 
tives of Vermont, visited the Territory for the purpose of work- 
ing the lead mines at Dubuque. They had been engaged in lead 
mining at Galena, Illinois, the former as early as 1824. The lead 
mines in the Dubuque region were an object of great interest to 
the miners about Galena, for they were known to be rich in lead 
ore. To explore these mines and to obtain permission to work 
them was therefore eminently desirable. 

In 1829, James L. Langworthy resolved to visit the Dubuque, 
mines. Crossing the Mississippi at a point now known as Dunleith 
in a canoe, and swimming his horse by his side, he landed on the 
spot now known as Jones Street Levee. Before him spread out a 
beautiful prairie, on which the city of Dubuque now stands. Two 
miles south, at the mouth of Catfish Creek, was a village of Sacs 
and Foxes. Thither Mr. Langworthy proceeded, and was well re- 
ceived by the natives. He endeavored to obtain permission from 
them to mine in their hills, but this they refused. He, however, 
succeeded in gaining the confidence of the chief to such an extent 
as to be allowed to travel in the interior for three weeks and ex- 
plore the country. He employed two young Indians as guides, 
and traversed in different directions the whole region lying be- 
tween the Maquoketa and Turkey Rivers. He returned to the 
village, secured the good will of the Indians, and, returning to 
Galena, formed plans for future operations, to be executed as soon 
circumstances would permit. 

In 1830, with his brother, Lucius H., and others, having ob- 
tained the consent of the Indians, Mr. Langworthy crossed the 
Mississippi and commenced mining in the vicinity around Du- 
buque. 

At this time, the lands were not in the actual possession of the 
United States. Although they had been purchased from France, 
the Indian title had not been extinguished, and these adventurous 
persons were beyond the limits of any State or Territorial govern- 
ment. The first settlers were therefore obliged to be their own 
law-makers, and to agree to such regulations as the exigencies of 
the case demanded. The first act resembling civil legislation 
within the limits of the present State of Iowa was done by the 
miners at this point, in June, 1830. They met on the bank of the 
river, by the side of an old cottonwood drift log, at what is now 
the Jones Street Levee, Dubuque, and elected a committee, con- 
sisting of J. L. Langworthy, H. F. Lander, James McPhetres, 
Samuel Scales, and E. M. Wren. This may be called the first 
Legislature in Iowa, the members of which gathered around that 
old cottonwood log, and agreed to and reported the following, 
written by Mr. Langworth, on a half-sheet of coarse, unruled 
paper, the old log being the writing desk: 

We, a Committee having been chosen to draft certain rules and regulations 
(laws) by which we as miners, will be governed, and having duly considered 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 43 

the subject, do unanimously agree that we will be governed by the regulations 
on the east side of the Mississippi River,* with the following exceptions, to-wit: 

Akticlk I. That each and every man shall hold 200 yards square of ground 
by working said ground one day in six. 

AuTiCLii II. We further agree that there shall be chosen, by the majority 
of the miners present, a person who shall hold this article, and who shall grant 
letters of arbitration on application having been made, and that said letters of 
arbitration shall be obligatory on the parties so applying. 

The report was accepted by the miners- present, who elected Dr. 
Jarote, in accordance with Article 2. Here, then, we have, in 
1830, a primitive Legishiture elected by the people, the law drafted 
by it being submitted to the people for approval, and under it Dr. 
Jarote was elected first Governor within the limits of the present 
State of Iowa. And it is to be said that the laws thus enacted 
were as promptly obeyed, and the acts of the executive officer thus 
elected as duly respected, as any have been since. 

The miners who had thus erected an independent government 
of their own on the west side of the Mississippi River, continued 
to work successfully for a long time, and the new settlement 
attracted considerable attention. But the west side of the Mis- 
sissippi belonged to the Sac and Fox Indians, and the Government 
in order to preserve peace on the frontier, as well as to protect the 
Indians in their rights under the treaty, ordered the settlers not 
only to stop mining, but to remove from the Indian territory. 
They were simply intruders. The execution of this order was en- 
trusted to Col. Zachary Taylor, then in command of the military 
post at Prairie du Chien, who, early in July, sent an officer to the 
miners with orders to forbid settlement, and to command the 
miners to remove within ten days to the east side of the Missis- 
sippi, or they would be driven off by armed force. The miners, 
however, were reluctant about leaving the rich " leads ^' they had 
already discovered and opened, and were not disposed to obey the 
order to remove with any considerable degree of alacrity. In due 
time, Col. Taylor dispatched a detachment of troops to enforce his 
order. The miners, anticipating their arrival, had, excepting three, 
recrossed the river, and from the east bank saw the troops land on 
the western shore. The three who had lingered a little too long 
were, however, permitted to make their escape unmolested. From 
this time, a military force was stationed at Dubuque to prevent 
the settlers from returning, until June, 1832. The Indians re- 
turned, and were encouraged to operate the rich mines opened by 
the late white occupants. 

In June, 1832, the troops were ordered to the east side to assist 
in the annihilation of the very Indians whose rights they had been 
protecting on the west side. Immediately after the close of the 
Black Hawk war, and the negotiations of the treaty in September, 
1832, by which the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States the 

♦Established by the Superintendent of U. S. Lead Mines at Fever River. 



4: A HISTORY OF IOWA. 

tract known as the " Black Hawk Purchase," the settlers, suppos- 
ing that now they had a right to re-enter the territory, returned 
and took possession o£ their claims, built cabins, erected furnaces 
and prepared large quantities of lead for market. Dubuque was 
becoming a noted place on the river, but the prospects of the hardy 
and enterprising settlers and miners were again ruthlessly inter- 
fered with by the Government, on the ground that the treaty with 
the Indians would not go into force until June 1, 1833, although 
they had withdrawn from the vicinity of the settlement. Col Tay- 
lor was again ordered by the War Department to remove the min- 
ers, and in January, 1833, troops were again sent from Prairie du 
Chien to Dubuque for that purpose. This was a serious and per- 
haps imnecessary hardship imposed upon the settlers. They were 
compelled to abandon their cabins and homes in midwinter. It 
must be now said, simply that " red tape " should be respected. 
The purchase had been made, the treaty ratified, or was sure to be; 
the Indians had retired, and, after the lapse of nearly fifty years, 
no very satisfactory reason for this rigorous action of the Govern- 
ment can be given. 

But the orders had been given, and there was no alternative but 
to obey. Man}^ of the settlers recrossed the river, and did not re- 
turn; a few, however, removed to an island near the east bank of 
the river, built rude cabins of poles, in which to store their lead 
until spring, when they could float the fruits of their labor to St. 
Louis for sale, and where they could remain until the treaty went 
into force, when they could return. Among these were James L. 
Langworthy, and his brother Lucius, who had on hand about three 
hundred thousand pounds of lead. 

Lieut. Covington, who had been placed in command at Dubuque 
by Col. Taylor, ordered some of the cabins of the settlers to be torn 
down, and wagons and other property to be destroyed. This wan- 
ton and inexcusable action on the part of a subordinate clothed with 
a little brief authority was sternly rebuked by Col. Taylor, and Cov- 
ington was superseded by Lieut. Geo. Wilson, who pursued a just 
and friendly course with the pioneers, who were only waiting for 
the time when they could repossess their claims. 

June 1, 1833, the treaty formally went into effect, the troops 
were withdrawn and the Langworthy brothers and a few others at 
once returned and resumed possession of their home claims and 
mineral prospects, and from this time the first permanent settle- 
ment of this portion of Iowa must date. Mr. John P. Sheldon 
was appointed Superintendent of the mines by the Government, 
and a system of permits to miners and licenses to smelters was 
adopted, similar to that which had been in operation at Galena, 
since 1825. under Lieut. Martin Thomas, and Capt. Thomas C. Le- 
gate. Substantially the primitive law enacted by the miners assem- 
bled around that old cotton wood drift log in 1830 was adopted and 
enforced by the United States Government,except that miners were 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 45 

required to sell their mineral to licensed smelters and the smelter 
was required to give bonds for the payment of six per cent, of all 
lead manufactured to the Government. This was the same rule 
adopted in the United States mines on Fever River in Illinois, 
except that, until 1830, the Illinois miners were compelled to pay 
ten per cent. tax. This tax upon the miners created much dissatis- 
faction among the miners on the west side as it had on the east side 
of the Mississippi. They thought they had suffered hardships and 
privationsenough in opening the way for civilization, without be- 
ing subjected to the imposition of an odious Government tax upon 
their means of subsistence, when the Federal Government could 
better afford to aid than to extort from them. The measure soon 
became unpopular. It was difhcult to collect the taxes, and the 
whole system wa^ abolished in about ten years. 

During 1833, after the Indian title was fully extinguished, about 
five hundred people arrived at the mining district, about one hun- 
dred and fifty of them from Galena. 

In the same year Mr. Langworthy assisted in building the first 
school house in Iowa, and thus was formed the nucleus of the now 
populous and thriving city of Dubuque. Mr. Langworthy lived to 
see the naked prairie on which he first landed become the site of a 
city of fifteen thousand inhabitants, the small school house which 
he aided in constructing replaced by three substantial edifices, 
wherein two thousand children were being trained, churches erect- 
ed in every part of the city, and railroads connecting the wilder- 
ness which he first explored with all the eastern world. He died 
suddenly on the 13th of March, 1865, Avhile on a trip over the Du- 
buque & Southwestern Railroad, at Monticello, and the evening 
train brought news of his death and his remains. 

Lucius H. Langworthy, his brother, was one of the most worthy, 
gifted and influential of the old settlers of this section of Iowa. 
He died, greatly lamented by many friends, in June, 1865. 

The name Dubuque was given to the settlement by miners at a 
meeting held in 1834. 

In 1832 Captain James White made a claim on the present site 
of Montrose. In 1834 a military post was established at this point 
and a garrison of caval}^ was stationed here, under the command of 
Col. Stephen W. Kearney. The soldiers were removed from this 
post to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1837. 

During the same year, 1832, soon after the close of the Black 
Hawk War, Zachariah Hawkins, Benjamin Jennings, Aaron White, 
Augustine Horton, Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thompson and Peter 
Williams made claims at Fort Madison. In 1833, these claims were 
purchased by John and Nathaniel Knapp, upon which, in 1835, 
they laid out the town. The next summer, lots were sold. The 
town was subsequently re-surveyed and platted by the United States 
Government. 



46 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

At the close of the Black Hawk War, parties who had been im- 
patiently looking across upon '' Flint Hills," now Burlington, came 
over from Illinois and made claims. The first was Samuel S.White, 
in the fall of 1832. who erected a cabin on the site of the city 
of Burlington. About the same time, David Tothero made a 
claim on the prairie about three miles back from the river, at a 
place since known as the farm of Judge Morgan. In the winter of 
that year, they were driven off by the military from Rock Island, 
as intruders upon the rights of the Indians, and White's cabin was 
burnt by the soldiers. He retired to Illinois, where he spent the 
winter, and in the summer, as soon as the Indian title was extin- 
guished, returned and rebuilt his cabin. White was joined by his 
brother-in-law, Doolittle, and they laid out the original town of 
Burlington, in 1834. 

All along the river borders of the Black Hawk Purchase settlers 
were flocking into Iowa. Immediately after the treaty with the 
Sacs and Foxes, in September, 1832, Col. George Davenport made 
the first claim on the spot where the thriving city of Davenport 
now stands. As early as 1827, Col. Davenport had established a 
flatboat ferry, which ran between the island and the main shore of 
Iowa, by which he carried on a trade with the Indians west of the 
Mississippi. In 1833, Capt. Benjamin W. Clark moved across from 
Illinois, and laid the foundation of the town of Bufl^alo, in Scott 
county, which was the first actual settlement within the limits of 
that county. Among other early settlers in this part of the Ter- 
ritory were Adrian H. Davenport, Col. John Sullivan, Mulligan 
and Franklin Easly, Capt. John Coleman, J. M. Camp, William 
White, H. W. Higgins, Cornelius Harrold, Richard Harrison, E. 
H. Shepherd and Dr. E. S. Barrows. 

The first settlers of Davenport were Antoine LeClaire, Col. 
George Davenport, Major Thomas Smith, Major William Gordon, 
Philip Hambaugh, Alexander W. McGregor, Leyi S. Colton, Capt, 
James May and others. Of Antoine LeClaire, as the representa- 
tive of the two races of men who, at this time occupied Iowa, Hon. 
C. C. Nourse, in his admirable Centennial Address, says: "Antoine 
JjeClaire was born in St. Joseph, Michigan, in 1797. His father 
V was French, his mother a granddaughter of a Pottawattamie chief. 
In 1818, he acted as official interpreter to Col. Davenport, at Fort 
Armstrong (now Rock Island). He was well acquainted with a 
dozen Indian dialects, and was a man of strict integrity and great 
energy. In 1820 he married the granddaughter of a Sac chief. 
The Sac and Fox Indians reserved for him and his wife two sec- 
tions of land in the treaty of 1833, one at the town of LeClaire 
and -^ one at Davenport. The Pottawattamies^in the treaty at 
Prairie du Chien, also reserved for him two sections of land, at the 
present site of Moline, 111. He received the appointment of Post- 
master and Justice of the Peace in the Black Hawk Purchase, at 
an early day. In 1833, he bought for ^100 a claim on the land 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 47 

upon which the original town of Davenport was surveyed and 
platted in 1836. In 1836, LeClaire built the hotel, known since, 
with its valuable addition, as the Le Claire House. He died Sep- 
tember 25, 1861." 

In Clayton county, the first settlement was made in the Spring 
of 1832, on Turkey River, by Robert Hatfield and William W. 
Wayman. No further settlements were made in this part of the 
State till the beginning of 1836. 

In that portion now known as Muscatine county, settlements 
were made in 1834, by Benjamin Nye, John Vanater and G. W. 
Kasey, who were the first settlers. E. E. Fay, William St. John, 
N. Fullington H. Reece, Jona. Fettibone, R. P. Lowe, Stephen 
Whicher, Abijah Whiting, J. E. Fletcher, W. D. Abernethy and 
Alexis Smith were early settlers of Muscatine. 

During the summer of 1835, William Bennett and his family, 
from Galena, built the first cabin within the present limits of 
Delaware county, in some timber since known as Eads' Grove. 

The first postofiice in Iowa was established at Dubuque in 1833. 
Milo H. Prentice was appointed postmaster. 

The first Justice of the Peace was Antoine LeClaire, appointed 
in 1833, as " a very suitable person to adjust the difficulties be- 
tween the white settlers and the Indians still remaining there." 

The first Methodist Society in the Territory was formed at Du- 
buque on the 18th of May, 1834, and the first class meeting was 
held June 1st of that year. 

The first church bell brought into Iowa was in March, 1834. 

The first mass of the Roman Catholic Church in the Territory 
was celebrated at Dubuque, in the house of Patrick Quiglev, in the 
fall of 1833. 

The first school house in the Territory was erected by the Du- 
buque miners in 1833. 

The first Sabbath school was organized at Dubuque early in the 
Summer of 1834. 

The first woman who came to this part of the Territory with a 
view to permanent residence, was Mrs. Noble F. Dean, in the Fall 
of 1832. 

The first family that lived in this part of Iowa was that of 
Hosea T. Camp, in 1832. 

The first meeting house was built by the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, at Dubuque, in 1834. 

The first newspaper in Iowa was the Dubuque Visitor, issued 
May 11th, 1836. John King, afterward Judge King, was editor, 
and William C. Jones, printer. 

The pioneers of Iowa, as a class, were brave, hardy, intelligent 
and enterprising people. 

As early as 1824, a French trader named Hart had established a 
trading })ost, and built a cabin on the blufi:s above the large spring 
now known as "Mynster Spring,"' within the limits of the pres- 



48 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

ent city of Council Bluffs, and had probably been there some time, 
as the post was known to the employes of the American Fur 
Company as Lacote cle Hart, or "Hart's Bluff."' In 1827, an 
agent of the American Fur Company, Francis Guittar, with others, 
encamped in the timber at the foot of the bluffs, about on the 
present location of Broadway, and afterward settled there. In 
1839, a block house was built on the bluff in the east part of the 
city. The_Po.ttawatiamie Indians occupied this part of the State 
until IS'IG-T, when they relinquished the territory and removed to 
Kansas, ^illy Caldwell was then principal chief. There were no 
white settlers in that part of the State, except Indian traders, 
until the arrival of the Mormons under the lead of Brigham 
Young. These people, on their way westward, halted for the 
Winter of 1846-T on the west bank of the Missouri River, about 
five mile above Omaha, at a now place called Florence. Some of 
them had reached the eastern bank of the river the Spring before, 
in season to plant a crop. In the Spring of 1847, Young and a 
portion of the colony pursued their journey to Salt Lake, but a 
large portion of them returned to the Iowa side and settled mainly 
withiii the limits of Potta wattam ie County. The principal settle- 
ment of this strange community was at a place called ''Miller's 
Hollow," on Indian Creek, and afterward named Kanesville, in 
honor of Col. Kane, of Pennsylvania, who visited them soon after- 
ward. The Mormon settlement extended over the county and into 
neighboring counties, wherever timber and water furnished 
desirable locations. Orson Hyde, priest, lawyer and editor, was 
installed as President of the Quorum of Twelve, and all that part 
of the State remained under Mormon control for several years. 
In 1816, they raised a battalion, numbering some five hundred men, 
for the Mexican war. In 1848, Hyde started a paper called the 
Frontier Guardian., at Kanesville. In 1849, after many of the 
faithful had left to join Brigham Young at Salt Lake, the Mor- 
mons in this section of Iowa numbered 6,552, and in 1850, 7,828, 
but they were not all within the limits of Pottawattamie County. 
This county was organized in 1848, all the first officials being Mor- 
mons. In 1852, the order was promulgated that all the true be- 
lievers should gather together at Salt Lake. Gentiles flocked in, 
and in a few years nearly all the first settlers were gone. 

May 9, 1843, Captain James Allen, with a small detachment of 
troops on board the steamer lone, arrived at the present site of the 
capital of the State, Des Moines. The lone was the first steamer 
to ascend the Des Moines River to this point. The troops and 
stores were landed at what is now the foot of Court avenue, Des 
Moines, and Capt. Allen returned in the steamer to Fort Sanford 
to arrange for bringing up more soldiers and supplies. In due 
time they, too, arrived, and a fort was built near the mouth of 
Raccoon Fork, at its confluence with the Des Moines, and named 
Fort Des Moines. Soon after the arrival of the troops, a trading 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 49 

post was established on the east side of the river, by two noted 
Indian traders named Ewing, from Ohio. 

Among the first settlers in this part of Iowa were Benjamin 
Bryant, J. B. Scott, James Drake (gunsmith), John Sturtevant, 
Robert Kinzie, Alexander Turner, Peter Newcomer, and others. 

The Western States have been settled by many of the best and 
most enterprising men of the older States, and a large immigra- 
tion of the best blood of the Old World, who, removing to an 
arena of larger opportunities, in a more fertile soil and con- 
genial climate, have developed a spirit and an energy peculiarly 
Western. In no country on the globe have enterprises of all 
kinds been pushed forward with such rapidity, or has there been 
such independence and freedom of competition. Among those 
who have pioneered the civilization of the West, and been the 
founders of great States, none have ranked higher in the scale of 
intelligence and moral worth than the pioneers of Iowa, who came 
to the territory when it was an Indian country, and through 
hardship, privation and suffering, laid the foundations of the popu- 
lous and prosperous commonwealth which to-day dispenses its bless- 
ings to a million and a quarter of people. From her first settle- 
ment and from the first organization as a territory to the present 
day, Iowa has had able men to manage her affairs, wise statesmen 
to shape her destiny and frame her laws, and intelligent and impar- 
tial jurists to administer justice to her citizens; her bar, pulpit and 
press have been able and widely influential; and in all the profes- 
sions, arts, enterprises and industries which go to make up a great 
and prosperous commonwealth, she has taken and holds a front 
rank among her sister States of the West. 

TERRITORIAL HISTORY. 

By act of Congress, approved October 31, 1803, the President of 
the United States was authorized to take possession of the terri- 
tory included in the Louisiana purchase, and provided for a tem- 
porary government. By another act of the same session, approved 
March 26, 1804, the newly acquire I country was divided: October 
1st, 1804, into the Territory of Orleans, south of the thirty-third 
parallel of north latitude, and the district of Louisiana, which lat- 
ter was placed under the authority of the officers of Indian Terri- 
tory. 

In 1S02, the district of Louisana was organized as a Territory, 
with a government of its own. In 1807, Iowa was included in the 
Territory of Illinois, and in 1812 in the Territory of Missouri. 
When Missouri was admitted as a State, Marth 2, 1821, "Iowa," 
says Hon. C. C. Nourse, "was left a political orphan," until by act 
of Congress, approved June 28, 1834, the Black Hawk purchase 
having been made, all the territory west of the Mississippi and 
north of the northern bojndary of Missouri, was made a part of 



50 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Michigan Territory. Up to this time there had been no county 
or other organization in what is now the State of Iowa, although 
one or two Justices of the Peace had been appointed and a post- 
office was established at Dabuque in 1833. In September, 1834, 
however, the Territorial Legislature of Michigan created two coun- 
ties on the west side of the Mississippi River, viz: Dubuque and 
Des Moines, separated by a line drawn westward from the foot of 
Rock Island. These counties were partially organized. John 
King was appointed Chief Justice of Dubuque County, and Isaac 
Leffler, of Burlington, of Des Moines County. Two Associate 
Justices in each county, were appointed by the Governor. 

On the first Monday in October, 1835, Gen. Geo. W. Jones, now 
a citizen of Dubuque, was elected a Delegate to Congress from this 
part of Michigan Territory. On the 20th of April, 1836, through 
the efforts of Gen. Jones, Congress passed a bill creating the Ter- 
ritory of Wisconsin, which went into operation, July 4, 1836, and 
Iowa was then included in. 

IJli TERRITORY OF WISCONSIN, 

of which Gen Henry Dodge was appointed Governor; John S. 
Horner, Secretary of the Territory; Charles Dunn, Chief Justice; 
David Irwin and Wm. C. Frazer, Associate Justices. 

September 9, 1836, Gov. Dodge ordered the census of the new 
territory to be taken. This consus resulted in showing a popu- 
lation of 10,531 in the counties of Dubuque and Des Moines. TJn- 
der the apportionment, these two counties were entitled to six 
members of the Council and thirteen of the House of Representa- 
tives. The Governor issued his proclamation for an election to be 
held on the first Monday of October, 1836, on which day the fol- 
lowing members of the First Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin 
were elected from the two counties in the Black Hawk purchase: 

Dubuque Countij. — Council: John Fally, Thomas McKnight, 
Thomas McCarney. House: Loring Wheeler, Hai'din Nowlan, 
Peter HillEngle, Patrick Cuigley, HoseaT. Camp. 

Des Moines County. — Council: Jeremiah Smith, Jr., Joseph 
R. Teas, Arthur B. Inghram. House: Isaac Letfler, Thomas Blair, 
Warren L. Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds, 
David R. Chance. 

The first Legislature assembled at Belmont, in the present State 
of Wisconsin, on the 25th day of October, 1836, and was organ- 
ized by electing Henry T. Baird President of the Council, and 
Peter Hill Engle, of Dubuque, Speaker of the House. It adjourn- 
ed December 9, 1836. 

The second Legislature assembled at Burlington, ^November, 10, 
1837. Adjourned January 20, 1838. The third session was at 
Burlington; commenced June 1st, and adjourned June 12, 1838. 

During the first session of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature 
i n 1836, the County of Des Moines was divided into Des Moines 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 61 

Lee, Van Buren, Henry, Muscatine and Cook (tlie latter being sub- 
sequently changed to Scott) and defined their boundaries. During 
the second session, out of the territory embraced in Dubuque 
County, were created the couuties of Dubuque, Clayton, Fayette, 
Delaware, Buchanan, Jackson, Jones, Linn, Clinton and Cedar, 
and their boundaries defined, but the most of them were not or- 
ganized until several years afterward, under the authority of the 
Territorial Legislature of Iowa. 

The question of a separate territorial organization for Iowa, 
which was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, began to be agitated 
early in the autumn of 1837. The wishes of the people found ex- 
pression in a convention held at Burlington on the 1st of Novem- 
ber, which memorialized Congress to organize a Territory west of 
the Mississippi, and to settle the boundary line between Wisconsin 
Territory and Missouri. The Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin, 
then in session at Burlington, joined in the petition. Gen. Geo. 
W. Jones, of Dubuque, then residing at Sinsinawa Mound, in what 
is now Wisconsin, was Delegate to Congress from Wisconsin Ter- 
ritory, and labored so earnestly and successfully, that "An act to 
divide the Territory of Wisconsin, and to establish the Territorial 
Government of Iowa," was approved June 12, 1838, to take effect, 
and be in force on and after July 3, 1838. The new Territory em- 
braced "all that part of the present Territory of Wisconsin which 
lies west of the Mississippi River, and west of a line drawn due 
north from the head water or sources of the Mississippi to the 
territorial line." The organic act provided for a Governor, whose 
term of office should be three years, and for a Secretary, Chief Jus- 
tice, two Associate Justices, and Attorney and Marshal, who 
should serve four years, to be appointed by the President, by and 
with the advice and consent of the Senate. The act also provided 
for the election, by the white male inhabitants, citizens of the 
United States, over twenty-one years of age, of a House of Rep- 
resentatives, consisting of twenty-six members, and a Coun- 
cil, to consist of thirteen members. It also appropriated $5,000 
for a public library, and $20,000 for the erection of public 
buildings. 

President Van Buren appointed Ex-Governor Robert Lucas, of 
Ohio, to be the first Governor of the new Territory. William B. 
Conway, of Pittsburgh, was appointed Secretary of the Territory; 
Charles Mason, of Burlington. Chief Justice, and Thomas S. Wil- 
son, of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of Pennsylvania, Associate 
Judges of the Supreme and District Courts; Mr. Van Allen, of 
New York, Attorney; Francis Gehon, of Dubuque, Mai'shal; Au- 
gustus C. Dodge, Register of the Land Office at Burlington, and 
Thomas McKnight, Receiver of the Land Office at Dubuque. Mr. 
Van Allen, the District Attorney, died at Rockingham, soon after 
his appointment, and Col. Chai-les Weston was appointed to fill his 
vacancy. Mr. Conway, the Secretary, also diel at Burlington, 



52 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

during the second session of the Legislature, and James Clarke, 
editor of the Gazette, was appointed to succeed him. 

Immediately after his arrival, Governor Lucas issued a proclama- 
tion for the election of members of the first Territorial Legislature, 
to be held on the 10th of September, dividing the Territory into 
election districts for that purpose, and appointing the 12th day of 
November for meeting of the Legislature to be elected, at Bur- 
lington. 

The first Territorial Legislature was elected in September and 
assembled at Burlington on the 12th of November, and consisted 
of the following members: 

CounciJ. — Jesse B. Brown, J. Keith, E. A. M. Swazy, Arthur 
Ingram, Robert Ralston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne, D. B. 
Hughes, James M. Clark, Charles Whittlesey, Jonathan W. Par- 
ker, Warner Lewis, Stephen Hempstead. 

House. — William Patterson, Hawkins Taylor, Calvin J. Price, 
James Brierly, James Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker, James 
W. Grimes, George Temple, Van B. Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, 
George H. Beeler,* William G. Coop, William H. Wallace, Asbury 
B. Porter, John Frierson, William L. Toole, Levi Thornton, S. (3. 
Hastings, Robert G. Roberts, Laurel Summers,! Jabez A. Burch- 
ard, Jr., Chauncey Swan, Andrew Bankson, Thomas Cox and Har- 
din Nowlin. 

Notwithstanding a large majority of the members of both branches 
of the Legislature were Democrats, yet Gen. Jesse B. Browne 
(Whig), of Lee County, was elected President of the Council, and 
Hon. William H. Wallace (Whig), of Henry County, Speaker of 
the House of Representatives — the former unanimously and the 
latter with but little opposition. At that time, national politics 
were little heeded by the people of the new Territory, but in 1840, 
during the Presidential campaign, party lines Avere strongly drawn. 

At the election in September, 1838. for members of the Legisla- 
ture, a Congressional Delegate was also elected. There were four 
candidates, viz: William W. Chapman and David Rohrer, of Des 
Moines County; B. F. W^allace, of Henry County, and P. H. 
Engle, of Dubuque County. Chapman was elected, receiving a 
majority of thirty-six over Engle. 

The first session of the Iowa Territorial Legislature was a stormy 
and exciting one. By the organic law, the Governor was clothed 
with almost unlimited veto power. Governor Lucas seemed dis- 
posed to make free use of it, and the independent Hawkeyes could 
not quietly submit to arbitrary and absolute rule, and the result 
was an unpleasant controversy between the Executive and Legisla- 
tive departments. Congress, however, by act approved March 3, 



*Cyrus S. Jacobs, who was elected for Des Moinos County, was killed in an unfortu- 
nate encounter at Burlingrton before the meetinpr of the Legislature, and Mr. Beeler 
was elected to fill the vacancy. 

tSamuel R. Murray was returned as elected from Clinton County, but his seat was 
successfully contested by Burchard. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 53 

1839, amended the organic law by restricting the veto power of 
the Governor to the two-thirds rule, and took from him the power 
to appoint Sheriffs and Magistrates. 

Among the first important matters demanding attention was the 
location of the seat of government and provision for the erection 
of public buildings, for which Congress had appropriated $20,000. 
Governor Lucas, in his message, had recommended the appointment 
of Commissioners, with a view to making a central location. The 
extent of the future State of Iowa was not known or thought of. 
Only on a strip of land fifty miles wide, bordering on the Missis- 
sippi River, was the Indian title extinguished, and a central loca- 
tion meant some central point in the Black Hawk Purchase. The 
friends of a central location supported the Governor's suggestion. 
The southern members were divided between Burlington and 
Mount Pleasant, but finally united on the latter as the proper loca- 
tion for the seat of government. The central and southern parties 
were very nearly equal, and, in consequence, much excitement pre- 
vailed. The central party at last triumphed, and on the 21st day 
of January, 1839, an act was passed, appointing Chauncey Swan, 
of Dubuque County; John Ronalds, of Louisa County, and Robert 
Ralston, of Des Moines County, Commissioners, to select a site for 
a permanent seat of Government within the limits of Johnson 
County. 

Johnson County had been created by act of the Territorial Leg- 
islature of Wisconsin, approved December 21, 1837, and organized 
by act passed at the special session at Burlington in June, 1838, 
the organization to date from July 4th, following. Napoleon, on 
the Iowa River, a few miles below the future Iowa City, was des- 
ignated as the county seat, temporarily. 

Then there existed good reason for locating the capital in the 
county. The Territory of Iowa was bounded on the north by the 
British Possessions; east, by the Mississippi River to its source; 
thence by a line drawn due north to the northern boundary of the 
United States; south, by the State of Missouri, and west, by the 
Missouri and White Earth Rivers. But this immense territory 
was in undisputed possession of the Indians, except a strip on the 
Mississippi, known as the Black Hawk Purchase. Johnson County 
was, from north to south, in the geographical center of this pur- 
chase, and as near the east and west geographical center of the 
future State of Iowa as could then be made, as the boundary line 
between the lands of the United States and the Indians, estab- 
lished by the treaty of October 21, 1837, was immediately west of 
the county limits. 

The Commissioners, after selecting the site, were directed to lay 
out 610 acres into a town, to be called Iowa City, and to proceed to 
sell lots and erect public buildings thereon. Congress having 
granted a section of land to be select el by the Territory for this 
purpose. The Commissioners met at Napoleon, Johnson County, 



54 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

May 1, 1839, selected for a site Section 10, in Township 79 North 
of Range 6, West of the Fifth Principal Meridian, and immedi- 
ately surveyed it and laid off the town. The first sale of lots took 
place August 16, 1839. The site selected for the public buildings 
was a little west of the geographical center of the section, where 
a square of ten acres on the elevated grounds overlooking the river 
was reserved for the purpose. The capitol is located in the center 
of this square. The second Territorial Legislature, which assem- 
bled in November, 1839, passed an act requiring the Commis- 
sioners to adopt such plan for the building that the aggregate cost 
when complete, shovld not exceed $51,000, and if they had already 
adopted a plan involving a greater expenditure, they were directed 
to abandon it. Plans for the building were designed and drawn 
by Mr. John F. Rague, of Springfield, 111., and on the 4th day of 
July, 1840, the corner stone of the edifice was laid with appro- 
priate ceremonies. Samuel C. Trowbridge was Marshal of the 
day, and Guv. Lucas delivered the address on that occasion. 

When the Legislature assembled at Burlington in special session 
July 13, 1840, Gov. Lucas announced that on the 4th of that 
month he had visited Iowa City, and found the basement of the 
capitol nearly completed. A bill authorizing a loan of $20,000 
for the building was passed, January 15, 1841, the unsold lots of 
Iowa City being the security offered, but only $5,500 was obtained 
under the act. 

THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. 

The boundary line between the Territory of Iowa and the State 
of Missouri was a difficult question to settle in 1838, in conse- 
quence of claims arising from taxes and titles, and at one time 
civil war was imminent. In defining the boundai'ies of the coun- 
ties bordering on Missouri, the Iowa authorities had fixed a line 
that has since been established as the boundary between Iowa and 
Missouri. The Constitution of Missouri defines her northern 
boundary to be the parallel of the latitude which passes through 
the rapids of the Des Moines River. The lower rapids of the 
Mississippi immediately above the mouth of the Des Moines River 
had always been known as the Des Moines Rapids, or '^the rapids 
of the Des Moines River." The Missourians (evidently not well 
versed in history or geography) insisted on running the northern 
boundary line from the rapids in the Des Moines River, just below 
Keosauqua, thus taking from Iowa a strip of territory eight or ten 
miles Avide. Assuming this as her northern boundary line, Mis- 
souri attempted to exercise jurisdiction over the disputed territory 
by assessing taxes, and sending her Sheriffs to collect them by dis- 
training the personal property of the settlers. The lowans, how- 
ever, were not disposed to submit, and the Missouri officials were 
arrested by the Sheriffs of Davis and Van Buren Counties and 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 55 

confined in jail. Gov. Boggs, of Missouri, called out his militia to 
enforce the claim and sustain the officers of Missouri. Gov. Lucas 
called out the militia of Iowa, and both parties made active prep- 
arations for war. In Iowa, about 1,200 men were enlisted, and 
500 wore actually armed and encamped in Van Bnren County, 
ready to defend the integrity of the Territory. Subsequently, 
Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington, Gen. Churchman, of Dubuque, 
and Dr. Clark, of Fort Madison, were sent to Missouri as envoys 
plenipotentiary, to effect, if possible, a peaceable adjustment of the 
difficulty. Upon their arrival, they found that the County Com- 
missioners of Clarke County, Missouri, had rescinded their order 
for the collection of the taxes, and that Gov. Boggs had despatched 
messengers to the Governor of Iowa proposing to submit an 
agreed case to the Supreme Court of the United States for the 
final settlement of the boundary question. This proposition was 
declined, but afterward Congress authorized a suit to settle the 
controversy, which was instituted, and which resulted in a judg- 
ment for Iowa. Under this decision, William G. Miner, of Mis- 
souri, and Henry B. Hendershott were appointed Commissioners 
to survey and establish the boundary. Mr. Nourse remarks that 
''the expenses of the war on the part of Iowa were never paid, 
either by the United States or the Territorial Government. The 
patriots wko furnished supplies to the troops had to bear the cost 
and charges of the struggle." 

The first legislative assembly laid the broad foundation of civil 
equality, on which has been constructed one of the most liberal 
governments in the Union. Its first act was to recognize the 
equality of woman with man before the law, by providing that 
'' no action commenced by a single woman, who intermarries 
during the pendency thereof, shall abate on account of such mar- 
riage." This principle has been adopted by all subsequent legisla- 
tion in Iowa, and to-day woman has full and equal civil rights with 
man, except only the right of the ballot. 

iieligious toleration was also secured to all, personal liberty 
strictly guarded, the rights and privileges of citizenship extended 
to all white persons, and the purity of elections secured by heavy 
penalties against bribery and corruption. The judiciary power was 
vested in a Supreme Court, District Court, Probate Court, and 
Justices of the Peace. Real estate was made divisible by will, and 
intestate property divided equitably among heirs. Murder was 
made punishable by death, and proportionate penalties fixed for 
lesser crimes. A system of free schools, open for every class of 
white citizens, was established. Provision was made for a system 
of roads and highways. Thus, under the territorial organization, 
the country began to emerge from a savage wilderness, and take 
on the forms of civil government. 

By act of Congress of June 12, 1838, the lands which had been 
purchased of the Indians were brought into market, and land 



56 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

offices opened in Dubuque and Burlington. Congress provided for 
military roads and bridges, which greatly aided the settlers, who 
were now coming in by thousands, to make their homes on the 
fertile prairies of Iowa — '' the Beautiful Land." The fame of the 
country had spread far and wide; even before the Indian title was 
extinguished, many were crowding the borders, impatient to cross 
over and stake out their claims on the choicest spots they could 
find in the new Territory. As soon as the country was open for 
settlement, the borders, the Black Hawk Purchase, all along the 
Mississippi, and up the principal rivers and streams, and out over 
the broad rolling prairies, began to be thronged with eager land 
hunters and immigrants, seeking homes in Iowa. It was a sight 
to delight the eyes of all comers from every land — its noble streams, 
beautiful and picturesque hills and valleys, broad and fertile 
prairies extending as far as the eye could reach, with a soil surpass- 
ing in richness anything which they had ever seen. It is not to 
be wondered at that immigration into Iowa was rapid, and that 
within less than a decade from the organization of the Territory it 
contained a hundred and fifty thousand people. 

As rapidly as the Indian titles were extinguished and the or- 
iginal owners removed, the resistless tide of emigration flowed 
westward. The following extract from Judge Nourse's Centennial 
Address shows how the immigrants gathered on the Indian 
boundary, ready for the removal of the barrier: 

In obedience tc our progressive and aggressive spirit, the Government of the 
United States made another treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians, on the 11th 
day of August, 1842; for the remaining portion of their land in Iowa. The treaty 
provided that the Indians should retain possession of all the lands thus ceded 
imtil May 1, 1843, and should occupy that portion of the ceded territoiy west of 
a line running north and south through Redrock, until October 11, 1845. These 
tribes, at this time, had their principal village at Ot-tum-wa-no, now called Ot- 
tumwa. As soon as it became known that the treaty had been concluded, there 
was a rush of immigration to Iowa, and a great number of temporary settle- 
ments were made near the Indian boundary, waiting for the 1st day of May. 
As the day approached, hundreds of families encamped along the line, and their 
tents and wagons gave the scene the appearance of a military expedition. The 
country beyond had been thoroughly explored, but the United States military 
authorities had prevented any settlement or even the making out of claims by 
any monuments whatever. 

To aid them in making out their claims when the hour should arrive, the set- 
tlers had placed piles of dry wood on the rising ground, at convenient distances, 
and a short time before twelve o'clock on the night of the oOth of April, these 
were lighted, and when the midnight hour arrived it was announced by the dis- 
charge of firearms. The night was dark, but this army of occupation pressed 
forward, torch in hand, with axe and hatchet, blazing lines with all manner of 
curves and angles. When daylight came and revealed the confusion of these 
wonderful surveys, numerous disputes arose, settled generally by compromise, 
but sometimes by violence. Between midnight of the 30th of April and sundown 
of the 1st of May, over one thousand families had settled on their new purchase. 

While this scene was transpiring, the retreating Indians were enacting one 
more impressive and melancholy. The winter of 1842-43 was one of unusual 
severity, and the Indian prophet, who had disapproved of the treaty, attributed 
the severity of the winter to the anger of the Great Spirit, because they had sold 
theii" country. Many religious rites were performed to atone for the crime. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 57 

When the time for leaving Ot-tum-wa-no iinived, a.'-olemn silrnce pervaded the 
Indian camp, and the laces of their stoutest men were bathed in tears; and when 
their cavalcade was put in motion, toward the setting sun, there was a sponta- 
neous outburst of frantic grief from the entire procession. 

The Indians remained the appomted time beyond the line running north and 
south through Redrock. The Government established a trading post and mili- 
tary encampment at the Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines River, then and for 
many years known as Fort Des Moines. Here the red man lingered until the 
11th of October, 1845, when the same scene that we have before described was 
re-enacted, and the wave ofimmigi-ation swept over the remainder of the " New 
Purchase." The lands thus occupied and claimed by the settlers still belonged 
in fee to the General Government. The surveys were not comjileted until some 
time after the Indian title was extinguished. After their survey, the lands 
were pu1)!icly proclaimed or advertised for sale at public auction. Under the 
laws of the United States, a pre-emption or exclusive right to purchase public 
lands could not be acquired until after the lands had thus been publicly offered 
and not sold for want of bidders. Then, and not until then, an occupant mak- 
ing improvements in good faith might acquire a right over others to enter the 
land at the minimum price of $1.25 per acre. The "claim laws" were un- 
known to the United States statutes. They origmated in the "eternal fitness 
of things," and wei-e enforced, probably, as belonging to that class of natural 
rights not enumerated in the con.stitution, and not impaired cr disparaged by 
its enumeration. 

The settlers organized in every settlement prior to the public land sales, 
appointed officers, and adopted their own rules and regulations. Each man's 
claim was duly ascertained and recorded by the Secretary. It was the duty of 
all to attend the sales. The Secretary bid off the lands of each settler at $1.25 
per acre. The others were there to see, first, that he did his duty and bid in the 
land, and, secondly, to see that no one else hid. This, of course, scmetimes led 
to trouble, but it saved the excitement of competition, and gave a formality and 
degree of order and regularity to the proceedings they would not otherwise have 
attained. As far as practicable, the Territorial Legislature recognized the valid- 
ity of these "claims " upon the public lands, and in 1839 passed an act legal- 
izing their sale and making their transfer a valid consideration to support a 
promise to pay for the same. (Acts of 1843, p. 456). The Supreme Territorial 
Court held this law to be valid. (See Hill v. Smith, 1st Morris Rep. 70). The 
opinion not only contains a decision of the question involved, but also contains 
much valuable erudition upon that "spirit of Anglo-Saxon liberty " which the 
Iowa settlers unquestionably inherited in a direct line of descent from the said 
"Anglo-Saxons." But the early settler was not always able to pay even this 
dollar and twenty-five cents per acre for his land. 

Many of the settlers had nothingtobegin with, save their hands, 
health and courage and their family jewels, " the pledges of love/' 
and the " consumers of bread." It was not so easy to accumulate 
money in the early days of the State, and the " beautiful prairies," 
the " noble streams," and all that sort of poetic imagery, did not 
prevent the early settlers from becoming discouraged. 

An old settler, in speaking of the privations and trials of those 
early days, says: 

Well do the "old settlers" of Iowa remember the days from the first settle- 
ment to 1840. Those were days of sadness and distress. The endearments of 
home in another land had been broken up; and all that was hallowed on earth, 
the home of childhood, and the scenes of youth, were severed ; and we sat down by 
the gentle waters of our noble river, and often "hung our harps on the willows. ' ' 

Another, from another part of the state testifies: 

There was no such thing as getting money for any kind ot labor, I laid brick 
at $3.00 per thousand, and took my pay in anything I could eat or wear. I 



58 H [STORY OF IOWA. 

built the first Methodist Church at Keokuk, 42x60 feet, of brick, for |600, and 
took my pay in a subscription paper, part of which I never collected, and upon 
which I only received $00.00 in money. Wheat was hauled 100 miles from 
the interior, and sold for 373^ cents per bushel. 

Another old settler, speaking of a later period, 1843, says: 

Land and everj^thing had gone down in value to almost nominal prices. Com 
and oats could be bought for six or ten cents a bushel; pork, $1.00 per hundred 
and the best horse a man could raise sold for $50.00. Nearly all were in debt 
and the Sheriff and Constable, with legal processes, were common visitors at 
almost every man's door. These were indeed "the times that tried men's souls. " 

" A few," says Mr. Nourse, '' who were not equal to the trial, re- 
turned to their old homes, but such as had courage and faith to be 
the worthy founders of a great State remained, to more than realize 
the fruition of their hopes, and the reward of their self-denial." 

On Monday, December 6, 1841, the fourth Legislative Assembly 
met, at the new capital, Iowa City, but the capitol building could 
not be used, and the Legislature occupied a temporary frame house, 
that had been erected for that purpose, during the session of 1841-2. 
At this session, the Superintendent of Public Buildings (who, with 
the Territorial Agent, had superseded the Commissioners first ap- 
pointed), estimated the expense of completing the building at 
$33,330, and that rooms for the use of the Legislature could be 
completed for $15,600. 

During 1842, the Superintendent commenced obtaining stone 
from a new quarry, about ten miles northeast of the city. This is 
now known as the '"Old Captain Quarry," and contains, it is thought, 
an immense quantity of excellent building stone. Here all the 
stone for completing the building was obtained, and it was so far 
completed that on the 5th day of December, 1842, the Legislature 
assembled in the new capitol. At this session, the Superintendent 
estimated that it would cost $39,143 to finish the building. This 
was nearly $6,000 higher than the estimate of the previous year, 
notwithstanding a large sum Jiad been expended in the meantime. 
This rather discouraging discrepancy was accounted for by the fact 
that the officers in charge of the work were constantly short of 
funds. Except the Congressional appropriation of $20,000 and the 
loan of $5,500, obtained from the Miners' Bank, of Dubuque, all the 
funds for the prosecution of the work were derived from the sale of 
the city lots (which did not sell very rapidly), from certificates of 
indebtedness, and from scrip, based upon unsold lots, which was to 
be received in payment for such lots when they were sold. At one 
time the Superintendent made a requisition for bills of iron and 
glass, which could not be obtained nearer than St. Louis. To meet 
this, the Agent sold some lots for a draft, payable at Pittsburgh, 
Pa., for which he was compelled to pay twenty-five per cent, ex- 
change. This draft, amounting to $507, that officer reported to be 
more than one-half the cash actually handled by him during the 
entire season, when the disbursement amounted to very nearly 
$24,000. 



HISTORY OF lO'.VA. 59 

With such uncertaiuty, it couki not be expected that estimates 
could be very accurate. With all these disadvantages, however, the 
work ajipears to have been prudently prosecuted, and as rapidly as 
circumstances would permit. 

Iowa remained a Territory from 1838 to 1846, daring which the 
oflfice of Governor was held by Robert Lucas, John Chambers and 
James Clarke. 

STATE ORGANIZATION. 

By an act of the Territorial Legislature of Iowa, approved Feb- 
ruary 12, 1811, the question of the formation of a State Constitu- 
tion and providing for the election of Delegates to a convention to 
be convened for that purpose was submitted to the people, to be 
voted upon at their township elections in April following. The 
vote was largely in favor of the measure, and the Delegates elected 
assembled in convention at Iowa City, on the 7th of October, 1844. 
On the first day of November following, the convention completed 
its work and adopted the first State Constitution. 

The President of the convention, Hon. Shepherd Lefiler, was in- 
structed to transmit a certified copy of this Constitution to the 
Delegate in Congress, to be by him submitted to that body at the 
earliest practicable day. It was also provided that it should be 
submitted, together with any conditions or changes that might be 
made by Congress^ to the people of the Territory, for their approval 
or rejection, at the township election in April, 1845. 

The boundaries of the State, as defined by this Constitution, 
were as follows: 

Beginning in the middle of the channel of the Mississippi River, opposite 
mouth of the Des Moines River, thence up the said river Des Moines, in the 
middle ot the main channel thereof, to a point where it is intersected by the 
Old Indian Boundary line, or line run by John C. Sullivan, in the j'ear 1816; 
thence westwardly along said line to the "old" northwest corner of Missouri; 
thence due west to the middle of the main channel of the Missouri River; thence 
up in the middle of the main channel of the river last mentioned to the mouth 
of the Sioux or Calumet River; thence in a direct line to the middle of the main 
channel of the St. Peters River, where the Watonwan River — according to Nic- 
ollet's map — enters the same; thence down the middle of the main channel of 
said river to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River; thence 
down the middle of the main channel of said liver to the place of beginning. 

These boundaries were rejected by Congress, but by act approved 
March 3, 1845, a State called Iowa was admitted into the IJnion, 
provided the people accepted the act, bounded as follows: 

Beginning at the mouth of the Des Moines River, at the middle of the Mis- 
sissippi, thence by the middle of the channel of that river to a parallel of lati- 
tude passing through the mouth of the Mankato or Blue Earth River; thence 
west, along said parallel of latitude, to a point where it is intersected by a me- 
ridian line seventeen degrees and thirty minutes west of the meridian of Wash- 
ington City; thence due south, to the northern bounlary line of the State of 
Missouri; thence eastwardly, following that boundary to the point at which the 
same intersects the Des Moines River; thence by the middle of the channel of 
that river to the place of beginning. 



60 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

These boundaries, had they been accepted, would have placed 
the northern boundary of the State about thirty miles north of its 
present location, and would have deprived it of the Missouri slope 
and the boundary of that river. The western boundary would 
have been near the west line of what is now Kossuth County. 
But it was not so to be. In consequence of this radical and un- 
welcome change in the boundaries, the people refused to accept the 
act of Congress and rejected the Constitution at the election, held 
August 4, 1845, by a vote of 7,656 to 7,235. 

A second Constitutional Convention assembled at Iowa City on 
the 4th day of May, 1846, and on the 18th of the same month an- 
other Constitution for the new State w4th the present boundaries, 
was adopted and submitted to the people for ratification on the 3d 
day of August following, when it was accepted; 9,492 votes were 
cast "for the Constitution," and 9,036 "against the Constitution." 
The Constitution was approved by Congress, and by act of Con- 
gress approved December 28. 1846, Iowa was admitted as a sover- 
eign State in the American Union. 

Prior to this action of Congress, however, the people of the new 
State held an election under the new Constitution on the 26th day 
of October, and elected •Oresd' Briggs, Governor; Elisha Cutler, 
Jr., Secretary of State; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor; Morgan Reno, 
Treasurer; and members of the Senate and House of Represent- 
atives. 

At this time there were twenty-seven organized counties in the 
State, with a population of nearly 100,000, and the frontier settle- 
ments were rapidly pushing toward the Missouri River. The Mor- 
mons had already reached there. 

The first General Assembly of the State of Iowa was composed 
of nineteen Senators and forty Representatives. It assembled at 
Iowa City, November 30, 1846, about a month before the State was 
admitted into the Union. 

At the first session of the State Legislature, the Treasurer of State 
reported that the capitol building was in a very exposed condition, 
liable to injury from storms, and expressed the hope that some pro- 
vision would be made to complete it, at least sufiiciently to protect 
it from the weather. The General Assembly responded hj appropri- 
ating $2,500 for the completion of the public buildings. At the 
first session also arose the question of the re-location of the capi- 
tal. The western boundary of the State, as now determined, left 
Iowa City too far toward the eastern and southern boundary of 
the State; this was conceded. Congress had appropriated five sec- 
tions of land for the erection of public buildings, and toward the 
close of the session a bill was introduced providing for the re-loca- 
tion of the seat of government, involving to some extent the loca- 
tion of the State University, which had already been discussed. 
This bill gave rise to a deal of discussion and parliamentary ma- 
neuvering, almost purely sectional in its character. It provided 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 61 

for the appointmeut of three Commissioners, who were authorized 
to make a location as near the geographical center of the State as 
a healthy and eligible site could be obtained; to select the five sec- 
tions of land donated by Congress; to survey and plat into town 
lots not exceeding one section of th^ land so selected; to sell lots 
at public sale, not to exceed two in each block. Having done this, 
they were then required to suspend farther operations, and make a 
report of their proceedings to the Governor. The bill passed both 
Houses by decisive votes, received the signature of the Governor, 
and became a law, Soon after, by "An act to locate and establish 
a State University," approved February 25, 1847, the unfinished 
public buildings at Iowa City, together with the ten acres of land 
on which they were situated, Avere granted for the use of the Uni- 
versity, reserving their use, however, by the general Assembly and 
the State officers, until other provisions were made by law. 

The Commissioners forthwith entered upon their duties, and se- 
lected four sections and two half sections in Jasper County. Two 
of these sections are in what is now Des Moines Township, and 
the others in Fairview Township, in the southern part of that 
county. These lands are situated between Prairie City and Mon- 
roe, on the Keokuk & Des Moines Railroad, which runs diagonally 
through them. Here a town was platted, called Monroe City, and 
a sale of lots took place. Four hundred aud fifteen lots were sold, 
at prices that were not considered remarkably remunerative. The 
cash payments (one-fourth) amounted to §11,797.4:3, while the ex- 
penses of the sale and the claims of the Commissioners for services 
amounted to §2,206.57. The Commissioners made a report of their 
proceedings to the Governor, as required by law, but the location 
was generally condemned. 

When the report of the Commissioners, showing this brilliant 
financial operation, had been read in the House of Representatives, 
at the next session, and while it was under consideration, an in- 
dignant member, afterward known as the eccentric Judge McFar- 
land, moved to refer the report to a select Committee of Five, 
with instructions to report "how much of said city of Monroe was 
under water and how much was burned." The report was re- 
ferred, without the instructions, however, but Monroe City never 
became the seat of government. By an act approved January 16, 
1849, the law by which the location had been made was repealed 
and the new town was vacated, the mouey paid by purchasers of 
lots being refunded to them. Thi«, of course, retained the seat 
of government at Iowa City, and precluded, for the time, the occu- 
pation of the building and grounds by the University. 

At the same session, $3,000 more were appropriated for complet- 
ing the State building at Iowa City. In 1852, the further sum of 
^5,000, and in 1854 84,000 more were appropriated for the same 
purpose, making the whole cost $123,000, paid partly by the Gen- 



62 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

eral Government and partly by the State, but principally from the 
proceeds of the sale of lots in Iowa City. 

But the question of the permanent location of the seat of gov- 
ernment was not settled, and in 1851 bills were introduced for the 
removal of the capital to Pella and to Fort Des Moines, The lat- 
ter appeared to have the support of the majority, but was finally 
lost in the House on the question of ordering it to its third read- 

At the next session, in 1853, a bill was introduced in the Senate 
for the removal of the seat of Government to Fort Des Moines, and, 
on final vote, was just barely defeated. At the next session, how- 
ever, the eifort was more successful, and on the 15th day of Jan- 
uary, 1855, a bill re-locating the capital within two miles of the 
Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines, and for the appointment of Com- 
missioners, was approved by Gov. Grimes. The site was selected 
in 1856, in accordance with the provisions of this act, the land be- 
ing donated to the State by citizens and property-holders of Des 
Moines. An association of citizens erected a building for a tempo- 
rary capitol, and leased it to the State at a nominal rent. 

The third Constitutional Convention to revise the Constitution 
of the State assembled at Iowa City, January 19, 1857. The new 
Constitution framed by this convention was submitted to the peo- 
ple at an election held August 3, 1857, when it was approved and 
adopted by a vote of 40,311 ''for" to 38,681 "against," and on the 
3d day of September following was declared by a]proclamation of the 
Governor to be the Supreme law of the State of Iowa. 

Advised of the completion of the temporary State House of Des 
Moines, on the 19th of October following. Governor Grimes issued 
another proclamation, declaring the city of Des Moines to be the 
capital of the State of Iowa. 

The removal of the archives and offices was commenced at once 
and continued through the fall. It was an undertaking of no 
small magnitude; there was not a mile of railroad to facilitate the 
work; and the season was unusually disagreeable. Rain, snow and 
other accompaniments increased the difficulties, and it was not 
until December that the last of the effects — the safe of the State 
Treasurer, loaded on two large ''bob-sleds" — drawn by ten yoke of 
oxen was deposited in the new capitol. It is not imprudent now 
to remark that, during this passage over hills and prairies, across 
rivers, through bottom lands and timber, the safes belonging to 
the several departments contained large sums of money, mostly 
individual funds, however. Thus, Iowa City ceased to be the 
capital of the State, after four Territorial Legislatures, six State 
Legislatures and three Constitutional Conventions had held their 
sessions there. By the exchange, the old capitol at Iowa City, 
became the seat of the University, and exceptthe rooms occupied by 
the United States District Court, passed under the immediate and 
direct control of the Trustees of that institution. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



63 



Des Moines was now the permament seat of government, made 
so by the fundamental hiw of the State, and on the 11th day of 
January, 1858, the seventh General Assembly convened at the 
new capitd. The buildings used for governmental purposes was 
purchased in 1861:. It soon became inadequate for the purposes 
for which it was designed, and it became apparent that a new, 
large and permanent State House must be erected. In 1870, the 
General Assembly made an appropriation and provided, for the ap- 
pointment of a Board of Commissioners to commence the work. 
The board consisted of Gov. Samuel Merrill, ex-officio. President; 
Grenville M. Dodge, Council Bluffs; James F. Wilson, Fairfield; 
James Dawson, Washington; Simon G. Stein, Muscatine; James 
0. Crosbv, Gainsville; Charles Dudley, Agency City; John N. 
Dewey, Des Moines; William L. Joy, Sioux City; Alexander R. 
Fulton, Des Moines, Secretary, 

The act of 1870 provided that the building should be constructed 
of the best material and should be fire proof, to be heated and ven- 
tilated in the most approved manner; should contain suitable leg- 
islative halls, rooms for State ofiicers, the judiciary, library, com- 
mittees, archieves and the collections of the State Agricultural 
Society, and for all purposes of State Government, and should be 
erected on grounds held by the State for that purpose. The 
sum first appropriated was ^150,000; and the law provided that no 
contract should be made, either for constructing or furnishing 
the building, which should bind the State for larger sums than 
those at the time appropriated. A design was drawn and plans and 
specifications furnished by Cochrane & Piquenard, architects, which 
were accepted by the board, and on the 23d of November, 1871, 
the corner stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies. The esti- 
mated cost and present value of the capitol is fixed at $2,000,000, 

From 1858 to 1860, the Sioux became troublesome in the north- 
western part of the State. These warlike Indians made frequent 
plundering raids upon the settlers, and murdered several families. 
In 1861. several companies of militia were ordered to that portion 
of the State to hunt down and punish the murderous thieves. No 
battles were fought, however, for the Indians fled when they as- 
certained that systematic and adequate measures had been adopted 
to protect the settlers. 

''The year 1856 marked a new era in the history of Iowa. In 
1851, the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad had been completed to 
the east bank of the Mississippi River, opposite Davenport. In 
1054, the corner stone of a railroad bridge, that was to be the first 
to span the 'Father of Waters,' was laid with appropriate cere- 
monies at this point. St. Louis had resolved that the enterprise 
was unconstitutional, and by writs of injunction made an unsuc- 
cessful effort to prevent its completion. Twenty years later in her 
history, St. Louis repented her folly, and made atonement for her 
sin by imitating our example. On the first day of January, 1856, 



64 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

this railroad was completed to Iowa City. In the meantime, two 
other railroads had reached the east bank of the Mississippi — one 
opposite Burlington, and one opposite Dubuque — and these were 
being extended into the interior of the State. Indeed, four lines 
of railroad had been projected across the State from the Mississippi 
to the Missouri, having eastern connections. On the 15th of May, 
1856, the Congi-ess of the United States passed an act granting to 
the State, to aid in the construction of raih'oads, the public lands 
in alternate sections, six miles on either side of the proposed line. 
An extra session of the General Assembly was called in July of 
this year, that disposed of the grant to the several companies that 
proposed to complete these enterprises. The population of our 
State at this time had increased to 500,000. Public attention had 
been called to the necessity of a railroad across the continent. The 
position of Iowa, in the very heart and center of the Republic, on 
the route of this great highway across the continent, began to at- 
tract attention. Cities and towns sprang up through the State as 
if by magic. Capital began to pour into the State, and had it been 
employed in. developing our vast coal measures and establishing 
manufactories among us, or if it had been expended in improving 
our lands, and building houses and barns, it would have been well. 
But all were in haste to get rich, and the spirit of speculation 
ruled the hour. 

" In the meantime every effort was made to help the speedy com- 
pletion of the railroads. Nearly every county and city on the Mis- 
sissippi, and many in the interior, voted large corporate subscrip- 
tions to the stock of the railroad companies, and issued their ne- 
gotiable bonds for the amount." Thus enormous county and city 
debts were incurred, the pa3aneut of which these municipalities 
tried to avoid upon the plea that they had exceeded the constitu- 
tional limitation of their powers. The Supreme Court of the 
United States held these bonds to be valid; and the courts by man- 
damus compelled the city and county authorities to levy taxes to 
pay the judgments. These debts are not all paid even yet, but 
the worst is over and ultimately the burden will be entirely re- 
moved. 

The first railroad across the State was completed to Council Bluffs 
in January, 1871. The others were completed soon after. In 1854 
there was not, a mile of railroad in the State. In 1874, twenty 
years after, there were 3,765 miles in successful operation." 

GROWTH AND PROGRESS. 

When Wisconsin Territory was organized, in 1836, the entire 
population of that portion of the Territory now embraced in the 
State of Iowa was 10,531. The Territory then embraced two coun- 
ties; Dubuque and Des Moines, erected by the Territor}^ of Michi- 
gan, in 1834. From 1836 to 1838, the Territorial Legislature of 
Wisconsin increjised the number of counties to sixteen, and the 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 65 

population had increased to 22,859. Since then the counties have 
increased to ninety-nine, and the population, in 1875, was 1,366,- 
000. The following table will show the population at ditt'erent 
periods, since the erection of Iowa Territory: 

Year. Population. \Ypay. rujJitJation. 
1838 3-2,589 18.^9 638,775 



1840 43,115 

1844 75,152 

1846 97,588 

1847 110,651 

1849 153,988 

1850 191,982 

1851 204,774 

1852 230.713 

1854 326,013 

1856 519,055 



1860 674,913 

1863 701,732 

1865 754.699 

1867 902,040 

1869 1,040,819 

1870 1,191,727 

1S73 1,251,333 

1875 1,366,000 

1880 1,624,463 



The most populous county in the State is Dubuque. Not only 
in population, but in everything contributing to the growth and 
greatness of a State has Iowa made rapid progress. In a little more 
than thirty years, its wild but beautiful prairies have advanced 
from the home of the savage to a highly civilized commonwealth, 
embracing all the elements of progress which characterize the 
older States. 

Thriving cities and towns dot its fair surface; an iron net- work 
of thousands of miles of i-ailroads is woven over its broad acres; ten 
thousand school houses, in which more than five hundred thou- 
sand children are being taught the rudiments of education, testify 
to the culture and liberality of the people: high schools, colleges 
and universities are generously endowed by the State; manufacto- 
ries spring up on all her water courses, and in most of her cities 
and towns. 

Whether measured from the date of her first settlement, her 
organization as a Territory, or admission as a State, Iowa has thus 
far shown a growth unsurpassed, in a similar period, by any com- 
monwealth on the face of the earth; and, with her vast extent of 
fertile soil, with her inexhaustible treasures of mineral wealth, 
with a healthful, invigorating climate; an intelligent, liberty-lov- 
ing people; with equal, just and liberal laws, and her free schools, 
the future of Iowa may be expected to surpass the most hopeful 
anticipations of her present citizens. 

Looking upon Iowa as she is to-day — populous, prosperous and 
happ}^ — it is hard to realize the wonderful changes that have oc- 
curred since the first w^iite settlements were made within her bor- 
ders. When the number of States was only twenty-six, and their 
total population about twenty millions, our republican form of gov- 
ernment was hardly more than an experiment, just fairly put up- 
on trial. The development of our agricultural resources and inex- 
haustible mineral wealth had hardly commenced. Westward the 
" Star of Empire " had scarcely started on its way. West of the 



QQ HISTORY OF IOWA. 

great Mississippi was a mighty empire, but almost unknown, and 
marked on the maps of the period as " The Great American Des- 
ert." 

Now, thirty-eight stars glitter, on our national escutcheon, and 
forty-five millions of people, who know their rights and dare main- 
tain them, tread American soil, and the grand sisterhood of States 
extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, and 
from the rocky coast of the Atlantic to the golden shores of the 
Pacific. 

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE AND FARM. 
Ames, Story Count ij. 

The Iowa State Agricultural College and Farm were established 
by an act>-of the^^General Assembly, approved March 22d, 1858. 
A Board of Trustees was appointed, consisting of Governor R. P. 
Lowe, John D. Wright, William Duaue Wilson, M. W. Robinson, 
Timothy Day, Richard Gaines, John Pattee, G. W. F. Sherwin, 
Suel Foster, S. W. Henderson, Clement Coffin and E. G. Day; the 
Governors of the State and President of the College being ex-officio 
members, Subsepuently the number of Trustees was reduced to 
five. The Board met in June, 1859, and received propositions for 
the location of the College and Farm from Hardin, Polk, Story and 
Boone, Marshall, Jefferson and Tama Counties. In July, the 
proposition of Story County and some of its citizens and by the 
citizens of Boone County was accepted, and the farm and the 
site for the buildings were located. In 1860-61, the farm-house and 
barn were erected. In 1862, Congress granted to the State 240,- 
000 acres of land for the endowment of schools of agriculture and 
the mechanical arts, and 195,000 acres were located by Peter Mel- 
endy. Commissioner, in 1862-63. In 1861, the General Assembly 
appropriated '^20,000 for the erection of the college building. 

In June of that year, the Building Committee proceeded to let 
the contract. The ^20,000 appropriated by the General Assembly 
were expended in putting in the foundations and making the brick 
for the structure. An additional appropriation of $91,000 was 
made in 1866, and the building was completed in 1868. 

Tuition in this college is made by law forever free to pupils from 
the State over sixteen years of age, Avho have been resident of the 
State six months previous to their admission. Each county in the 
State has a prior right of tuition for three scholars from each 
county; the remainder, equal to the capacity of the college, are by 
the trustees distributed among the counties in proportion to the 
population, and subject to the above rule. All sale of ardent 
spirits, wine or beer, are prohibited by law within a distance of 
three miles from the college, except for sacramental, mechanical 
or medical purposes. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 67 

The course of instruction in the Agricultural College embraces 
the following branches: Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Botany, 
Horticulture, Fruit Growing, Fcrestry, Animal and Vegetable 
Anatomy, Geology, Mineralogy, Meteorology, Entomology, 
Zoology, the Veterinary Art, Plane Mensuration, Leveling, Sur- 
veying, Bookkeeping, and such Mechanical Arts as are directly 
connected with agriculture; also such other studies as the Trustees 
may, from time to time, prescribe, not inconsistent with the pur- 
poses of the institution. The funds arising from the lease and 
sale of lands, and interest on investments are sufficient for the 
support of the institution. 

The Board of Trustees, in 1881, was composed of Charles W. 
Tenney, Plymouth; George H. Wright, Sioux City; Henry G. 
Little, Grinnell; William McClintock, West Union; John N. 
Dixon, Oskaloosa. A. S. Welch, President of the Faculty; W, 
D. Lucas, Treasurer; E. W. Stanton, Secretary. 

The Trustees are elected by the General Assembly, in Joint 
Convention, for tour years, three being elected at one session and 
two the next. 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY. 

Iowa Citij, Johnson Comity. 

In the famous Ordinance of 1787, enacted by Congress before 
the Territory of the United States extended beyond the Missis- 
sippi River, it was declared that in all the territory northwest of 
the Ohio River- "Schools and the means of education shall for- 
ever be encouraged." By act of Congress, approved July 20, 1810, 
the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized ''to set apart and re- 
serve from sale, out of any of the public lands within the Terri- 
tory of Iowa, to which the Indian title has been or may be ex- 
tinguished, and not otherwise appropriated, a quantity of land, not 
exceeding the entire townships, for the use and support of a uni- 
versity within said Territory when it becomes a State, and for no 
other use or purpose whatever; to be located in tracts of not less 
than an entire section, corresponding with any of the large divis- 
ions into which the public land are authorized to be surveyed." 

William W. Dodge, of Scott County, was appointed by the 
Secretary of the Treasury to make the selections. He selected 
Section 5, in Township 78, north of Range 3, east of the Fifth 
Principal Meridian, and then removed from the Territory. No 
more land were selected until 1816, when, at the request of the 
Assembly, John M. Whitaker, of Van Buren County, was appoint- 
ed,who selected the remainder of the grant except about 122 acres. 

In the first Constitution, under which Iowa was admitted to the 
Union, the people directed the disposition of the proceeds of this 
munificent grant in accordance with its terms, and instructed the 



68 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

General Assembly to provide, as soon as may be, effectual means 
for the improvement and permanent security of the funds of the 
university derived from the lands. 

The first General Assembly, by act approved February 25, 1847, 
established the ''State University of Iowa" at Iowa City, then 
the Capital of the State, "with such other branches as public con- 
venience may hereafter require." The " public buildings at 
Iowa City, together with the ten acres of land in which they are 
situated, were granted for the use of said university provided,, 
however, that the sessions of the Legislature and State offices 
should be held in the capitol until otherwise provided by law. The 
control and management of the University were committed to a 
Board of fifteen Trustees, to be appointed hj the Legislature, five 
of whom were to be chosen bienially. The Superintendent of 
Public Instruction was made President of this Board. Provisions 
were made for the disposal of the two townships of land, and for 
the investment of the funds arising therefrom. The act further 
provides that the University shall never be under the exclusive 
control of any religious denomination whatever, and as soon as 
the revenue for the grant and donations amounts to §?2,000 a year, 
the University should commence and continue the instruction, 
free of charge, of fii'ty students annually. The General Assembly 
retained full supervision over the University, its officers and the 
grants and donations made and to be made to it by the State. 

The organization of the University at Iowa City was impractic- 
able, however, so long as the seat of government Avas retained there. 

In January, 1849, two branches of the University and three 
Normal Schools were established. The branches were located — - 
one at Fairfield, and the other at Dubuque, and were placed upon 
an equal footing, in respect to funds and all other matters, with 
the University established at Iowa City. " This act," says Col. 
Benton, " created three State Universities, with equal rights and 
powers, instead of a 'University with such branches as public con- 
venience man hereafter demand ' as provided bv the Constitution." 

The Board of Directors of the Fairfield Branch consisted of 
Barnet liistine, Christian W. Slagle, Daniel Rider, Horace Gay- 
lord, Bernhart Henn and Samuel S, Bayard. At the first meeting 
of the Board Mr. Henn was elected President, Mr. Slagle Secretary, 
and Mr. Gaylord Treasurer. Twenty acres of land were purchased, 
and a building erected thereon, costing $2,500. This building was 
nearly destroyed by a hurricane, in 1850, but was rebuilt more 
substantially, all by contributions of the citizens of Fairfield. This 
branch never received any aid from the State or from the Univer- 
sity Fund, and by act approved January 24, 1853, at the request of 
the Board, the General Assembly terminated its relation to the State. 

The branch at Dubuque was placed under the control of the Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction. The Trustees never organ- 
ized, and its existence was only nominal. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 69 

The Normal Schools were located at Andrew, Oskaloosa and 
Mount Pleasant, respectively. Each was to be governed by a board 
of seven Trustees, to be appointed by the Trustees of the Univer- 
sity. Each was to receive ^500 annually from the income of the 
University fund, upon condition that they should educate eight 
common school teachers, free of charge for tuition, and that the 
citizens should contribute an equal sum for the erection of the 
requisite buildings. The several Boards of Trustees were appointed. 
At Andrew, the school was organized November 21, 1849. A 
building was commenced and over |1,000 expended on it, but it 
was never completed. At Oskaloosa, the Trustees organized in 
April, 1852. This school was opened in the Court House, Septem- 
ber 13, 1852. A two-story brick building was completed in 1853, 
costing $2,4:73. The school at Mount Pleasant was never organ- 
ized. Neither of these schools received any aid from the Univer- 
sity Fund, but in 1857 the Legislature appropriated $1,000 each 
for those at Oskaloosa and Andrew, and repealed the law author- 
izing the payment of money to them from the University Fund. 
From that time they made no further effort to continue in ope- 
ration. 

At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, held February 
21, 1850, the "College of Physicians and Surgeons of the Upper 
Mississippi," established at Davenport, was recognized as the ''Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of the State University of Iowa," 
expressly stipulating, however, that such recognition should not 
render the University liable for any pecuniary aid, nor Avas the 
Board to have any control over the property or management of the 
Medical Association. Soon after, this College was removed to Ke- 
okuk, its second session being opened there in November, 1850. 
In 1851, the General Assembly confirmed the action of the Board, 
and by act approved January 22, 1855, placed the Medical College 
under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the University, 
and it continued in operation until this arrangement was termin- 
ated by the new Constitution, September 3, 1857. 

From 1847 to 1855, the Board of Trustees was kept full by reg- 
ular elections by the Legislature, and the Trustees held frequent 
meetings, but there was no effectual organization of the University. 
In March, 1855, it was partially opened for a term of sixteen weeks. 
July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of Albany, N. Y., was elected Presi- 
dent, but he never entered fully upon its duties. The University 
was again opened in September, 1855, and continued in opei-ation 
until June, 1856, under Professors Johnson, Welton, Van Valken- 
burg and Guflfin. 

In the Spring of 1856, the capital of the State was located at 
Des Moines; but there were no buildings there, and the capitol at 
Iowa City was not vacated by the State until December, 1857. 

In June, 1856, the faculty was re-organized, with some changes, 
and the University was again opened on the third Wednesday of 



70 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

September, 185<5. There were one hundred and twenty-four stu- 
dents — eighty-three males and fort3'-one females in attendance 
during the year 1856-7, and the first regular catalogue was pub- 
lished. 

Article IX, Section 11, of the new State Constitution, which 
went into force September 3, 1857, provided as follows: 

The State University shall be established at one place, without branches at 
any other place; and the University fund shall be applied to that institution, 
and no other. 

Article XI, Section 8, provided that 

The seat of Goverament is hereby permanently established, as now fixed by 
law. at the city of Des Moines, in the county of Polk; and the State University 
at Iowa City, in the county of Johnson. 

The new Constitution created the Board of Education, consist- 
ing of the Lieutenant Governor, who was ex officio President, and 
one member to be elected from each judicial district in the State. 
This Board was endowed with ''full power and authority to legis- 
late and make all needful rules and regulations in relation to com- 
mon schools and other educational institutions," subject to altera- 
tion, amendment or repeal by the General Assembly, which was 
vested with authority to abolish or re-organize the Board at any 
time after 1863, 

In December, 1857, the old capitol building, now known as Cen- 
tral Hall of the University, except the rooms occupied by the 
United States District Court, and the property, with that excep- 
tion, passed under the control of the Trustees, and became the seat 
of the University. The old building had had hard usage, and its 
arrangement was illy adapted for University purposes. Extensive 
repairs and changes were necessary, but the Board was without 
funds for these purposes. 

The last meeting of the Board, under the old law, was held in 
January, 1858. At this meeting, a resolution was introduced, and 
seriously considered, to exclude females from the University; but 
it finally failed. 

March 12, 1858, the first Legislature under the new Constitution 
enacted a new law in relation to the University, but it was not 
materially diff'erent from the former. March 11, 1858, the Leg- 
islature appropriated $3,000 for the repair and modification of 
the old capitol building, and $10,000 for the erection of a boarding 
house, now known as South Hall. 

The Board of Trustees created by the new law met and duly or- 
ganized April 27, 1858, and determined to close the University 
until the income from its fund should be adequate to meet the cur- 
rent expenses, and the buildings should be ready for occupation. 
Until this term, the building known as the "Mechanics' Academy" 
had been used for the school. The Faculty, except the Chancellor 
(Dean), was dismissed, and all further instruction suspended, from 
the close of the term then in progress until September, 1859. At 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 71 

this meeting, a resolution was adopted excluding females from the 
University after the close of the existing term; but this was after- 
ward, in August, modified, so as to admit them to the Normal De- 
partment. 

An "Act for the Government and Regulation of the State Uni- 
versity of Iowa," approved December 25, 1858, was mainly a re-en- 
actment of the law of March 12, 1858, except that changes were 
made in the Board of Trustees, and manner of their appointment. 
This law provided that both sexes were to be admitted on equal 
terms to all departments of the institution, leaving the Board no 
discretion in the matter. 

At the annual meeting, June 28, 1860, a full Faculty was ap- 
pointed, and the University re-opened, under this new organiza- 
tion, September 19, 1860 (tliird Wednesday); and at this date the 
actual existence of the University may be said to commence. 

August, 19, 1862, Dr. Totten having resigned, Prof. Oliver M. 
Spencer was elected President and the honorary degree of Doctor 
of Laws was conferred upon Judge Samuel F. Miller, of Keokuk. 

At the commencement, in June, 1863, was the first class of 
graduates in the Collegiate Department. 

The Board of Education was abolished March 19, 1861, and the 
office of Superintendent of Public Instruction w^as restored ; the 
General Assembly resumed control of the subject of education, 
and on March 21, an act was approved for the governient of the 
University. It was substantially the same as the former law, but 
provided that the Governor should be ex-officio President of the 
Board of Trustees. Until 1858, the Superintendent of Public In- 
struction had been ex-officio President. During the period of the 
Board of Education, the University Trustees were elected by it, 
and elected their own President. 

The North Hall was completed late in 1866. 

The Law Department was established in June, 1868, and, in 
September following au arrangement was perfected with the Iowa 
Law School, at Des Moines, which had been in successful opera- 
tion for three years, by which that institution was transferred to 
Iowa City and merged in the Law Department of the University. 

At a special meeting of the Board, on the ITth of September, 
1868, a committee was appointed to consider the expediency of 
establishiiig a Medical Department. This Committee reported at 
once in favor of the proposition, the Faculty to consist of the 
President of the University and seven Professors, and recom- 
mended that, if practicable, the new department should be opened 
at the commencement of the University year, in 1869-70. 

By an act of the General Assembly, approved April 11, 1870, 
the "Board of Regents" was instituted as the governing power of 
the University, and since that time it has been the fundamental 
law of the institution. The Board of Regents held its first meet- 
ing June 28, 1870. 



72 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The South Hall having been fitted up for the purpose, the first 
term of the Medical Department was opened October 21^ 1870, and 
continued until March, 1871. 

In June, 1874, the ''Chair of Military Instruction" was estab- 
lished, and the President of the United States was requested to 
detail an officer to perform its duties. At the annual meeting, in 

1876, a Department of Homoeopathy was established. In March, 

1877, a resolution was adopted, affiliating the High Schools of the 
State with the University. 

In 1872, the ex-officio membership of the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction was abolished; but it was restored in 1876. 

The Board of Regents, in 18S1, was composed as follows: 
John H. Gear, Grovernor, ex-officio^ President; Carl W. vonCoelln, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, ex-officio; J. L. Pickard, 
President of the University, ex-officio; C. W. Slagle, Fairfield, 
First District; D. N. Richardson, Davenport, Second District; H. 
C. Bulls, Decorah, Third District; A. T. Reeve, Hampton, Fourth 
District; J. N. W. Rumple, Marengo, Fifth District; W. 0. 
Crosby, Centerville, Sixth District; T. S. Parr, Indianola, Seventh 
District; Horace Everett, Council Bluffs, Eighth District; J. F. 
Duncombe, Fort Dodge, Ninth District. John N. Coldren, Iowa 
City, Treasurer; W. J. Haddock, Iowa City, Secretary. 

The Regents are elected by the General Assembly, in Joint 
Convention, for six years, one-third being elected at each regular 
session, one member to be chosen from each Congressional 
District. 

The present educational corps of the University consists of the 
President, nine Professors in the Collegiate Department, one Pro- 
fessor and six Instructors in Military Science; Chancellor, three 
Professors and four Lecturers in the Law Department; eight 
Professor Demonstrators of Anatomy; Prosector of Surgery and 
two Lecturers in the Medical Department, and two Professors in 
the HomcBopathic Medical Department. 

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

By act of the General Assembly, approved January 28, 1857, a 
State Historical Society was provided for in connection with the 
University. At the commencement, an appropriation of $250 was 
made, to be expended in collecting, embodying, and preserving in 
an authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, charts, maps, 
manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary, and other materials illus- 
trative of the history of Iowa; and with the further object to 
rescue from oblivion the memory of the early pioneers; to obtain 
and preserve various accounts of their exploits, perils and hardy 
adventures; to secure facts and statements relative to the history 
and genius, and progress and decay of the Indian tribes of Iowa, 
to exhibit faithfully the antiquities and past and present resources 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 73 

of the State; to aid in the publication of such collections of the 
Society as shall, from time to time be deemed of value and inter- 
est; to aid in binding its books, pamphlets, manuscripts and papers, 
and in defraying other necessary incidental expenses of the So- 
ciety. 

There was appropriated by law to this institution, till the Gen- 
eral Assembly shall otherwise direct, the sum of $500 per annum. 
The Society is under the management of a Board of Curators, 
consisting of eighteen persons, nine of whom are appointed by the 
(jrovernor, and nine elected by the members of the Society. The 
Curators receive no compensation for their services. The annual 
meeting is provided for by law, to be held at Iowa City on Mon- 
day preceding the last Wednesday in June of each year. 

The State Historical Society has published a series of very 
valuable collections, including history, biography, sketches, remin- 
iscences, etc., with quite a large number of finely engraved por- 
traits of prominent and early settlers, under the title of "Annals 
of Iowa." 

THE PENITENTIARY. 
Located at Fort Madison^ Lee Count j. 

The first act of the Territorial Legislature, relating to a Peni- 
tentiary in Iowa, was approved January 25, 1839, the fifth section 
of which authorized the Governor to draw the sum of $20,000 
.appropriated by an act of Congress approved July 7, 1838, for 
public buildings in the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a 
Board of Directors of three persons elected by the Legislature, 
who should direct the building of the Penitentiary, which should 
be located within one mile of the public square, in the town of 
Fort Madison, Lee County, provided Fort Madison should deed to 
the Directors a tract of land suitable for a site, and assign them, 
by contract, a spring or stream of water for the use of the Peni- 
tentiary. To the Directors was also given the power of appoint- 
ing the Warden ; the latter to appoint his own assistants. 

The first Directors appointed were John S. David and John 
Claypole. They made their first report to the Legislative Council 
November 9, 1839. The citizens of the town of Fort Madison 
had executed a deed conveying ten acres of land for the building 
site. Amos Ladd was appointed Superintendent of the building 
June 5, 1839. The building was designed of sufiicient capacity to 
contain one hundred and thirty-eight convicts, and estimated to 
cost $55,933.90. It was begun on the 9th of July, 1839; the 
main building and Warden's house were completed in theFall of 
1841. Other additions were made from time to time till the build- 
ing and arrangements were all complete according to the plan of 
the Directors. It has answered the purpose of the State as a 



74 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Penitentiary for more than thirty years, and during that period 
many items of practical experience in prison management have 
been gained. 

ADDITIONAL PENITENTIARY. 

Located at Anamosa, Jones County. 

By an Act of the Fourteenth General Assembly^ approved April 

23, 1S72, William lire, Foster L. Downing and Martin Heisey 
were constituted Commissioners to locate and provide for the erec- 
tion and control of an additional Penitentiary for the State of 
Iowa. These Commissioners met on the 4th of the following 
June, at Anamosa, Jones County, and selected a site donated by 
the citizens, within the limits of the city. L. W. P^oster & Co., 
architects, of Des Moines, furnished the plan, drawings and speci- 
fications, and work was commenced on the building on the 28th 
day of September, 1872. May 13, 1873, twenty convicts were 
transferred to Anamosa from the Fort Madison Penitentiary. 
The entire enclosure includes fifteen acres, with a frontage of 663 
feet. 

IOWA HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE. 
Mount Pleasant., Henrij Countij. 

By an act of the General Assembly of Iowa, approved January 

24, 1855, $4,425 were appropriated for the purchase of a site, and 
$50,000 for building an Insane Hospital, and the Governor 
(Grimes), Edward Johnston, of Lee County, and Charles S. Blake, 
of Henry County, were appointed to locate the institution and 
Superintend the erection of the building. These Commissioners 
located the institution at Mt. Pleasant, Henry County. A plan 
for a building designed to accommodate 300 patients was accepted, 
and in October work was commenced. Up to February 25, 1858, 
and including an appropriation made on that date, the Legislature 
had appropriated $258,555.67 to this institution, but the building 
was not finished ready for occupancy by patients until March 1, 
1861. April 18, 1876, a portion of the hospital building was de- 
stroyed by fire. 

Trustees, iS8i .-—Timothy Whiting, Mt. Pleasant; J. H. Kulp, 
Davenport; Denison A. Hurst, Oskaloosa; John Conaway, Brook- 
lyn; L. E. Fellows, Lansing. Mark Ranney, M. D., Mt. Pleasant, 
is the Medical Superintendent; C. V. Arnold, Mt. Pleasant, Treas- 
urer. 

HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE 

Independence., Buchanan County. 

In the winter of 1867-8 a bill providing for an additional Hos- 
pital for the insane was passed by the Legislature, and an appro- 
priation of $125,000 was made for that purpose. Maturin L. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 75 

Fisher, of Clayton County; E, G. Morgan, of Webster County, and 
Albert Clark, of Buchanan County, were appointed Commissioners 
to locate and supervise the erection of the building. 

The Commissioners met and commenced their labors on the 8th 
day of June, 1868, at Independence. The act under which they 
were appointed required them to select the most eligible and de- 
sirable location, of not less than 320 acres, within two miles of 
the City of Independence, that might be offered by the citizens 
free of charge to the State. Several such tracts were offered, but 
the Commissioners finally selected the south half of southwest 
quarter of Section 5; the north half of northeast quarter of Sec- 
tion 7; the north half of northwest quarter of Section 8, and the 
north half of northeast quarter of Section 8, all in Township 88 
north. Range 9 west of the Fifth Principal Meridian. This loca- 
tion i^ on the west side of the Wapsipinicon River, and about a 
mile from its banks, and about the same distance from Indepen- 
dence. 

The contract ^r erecting the building was awarded for |88,114. 
The contract was signed November 7^ 1868, and work was at once 
commenced. The main buildings were constructed of dressed 
limestone, from the quarries at Anamosa and Farley. The base- 
ments are of the local granite worked from the immense boulders 
found in large quantities in this portion of the State. 

In 1872, the building was so far completed that the Commis- 
sioners called the first meeting of the Trustees, on the 10th day of 
July of that vear. The building was ready for occupancy April 
21, 1873. 

In 1877, the south wing was built, but was not completed ready 
for occupancy until the Spring or Summer of 1878. 

Trustees, 1881: — Erastus G. Morgan, Fort Dodge, President; 
Jed. Lake, Independence; Mrs. Jennie C. McKinney, Decorah; 
Lewis H. Smith, Algona; David Hammer, McGregor: A. Reynolds, 
M. D., Independence, Medical Superintendent; W. G. Donuan, In- 
dependence, Treasurer. 

IOWA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND. 

Vinto?i, Benton Countij. 

In August, 1852, Prof. Samuel Bacon, himself blind, estab- 
lished an Institution for the Instruction of the blind of Iowa, at 
Keokuk. 

By act of the General Assembly, entitled, "An act to establish 
an Asylum for the Blind," approved January 18, 1853, the institu- 
tion was adopted by the State, removed to Iowa City, February 3d, 
and opened for the reception of pupils April 4, 1853, free to all 
the blind in the State. 



lb HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The Board of Trustees appointed Prof . Samuel Bacon. Principal; 
T. J. McGittigen, Teacher of Music, and Mrs. Sarah K. Bacon, 
Matron. Twenty-three pupils were admitted during the first term. 

In his first report, made in 1854, Prof. Bacon suggested that the 
name should be changed from "Asylum for the Blind," to that 
of "Institution for the Instruction of the Blind." This was done 
in 1855, when the General Assembly made an annual appropriation 
for the College of ^55 per quarter for each pupil. This was subse- 
quently changed to $3,000 per annum, and a charge of $25 as an 
admission fee for each pupil, which sum, with the amounts real- 
ized from the sale of articles manufactured by the blind pupils, 
proved sufficient for the expenses of the institution during Mr. 
Bacon's administration. 

On the 8th of May, 1858, the Trustees met at Vinton, and made 
arrangements for securing the donation of $5,000 made by the cit- 
izens of that town. 

In June of that year a quarter section of land was donated for 
the College, by John W. 0. Webb and others, and the Trustees 
adopted a plan for the erection of a suitable building. In 1860, 
the plan was modified, and the contract for enclosing let for 
$10,420. 

In August, 1862, the building was so far completed that the goods 
and furniture of the institution were removed from Iowa City to 
Vinton, and early in October the School was opened there with 
twenty-four pupils. 

Trustees, 1881:- — Clinton 0. Harrington, Vinton; S. H. Watson, 
Vinton, Treasurer; J . F. White, Sidney; M. H. Westerbrook, Lyons; 
W. H. Leavitt, Waterloo; Jacob Springer, W atkins; Rev. Bobert 
Carothers, Principal of the Institution, and Secretary of the Board. 

INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. 

Council Bluffs, Pottauattamie County. 

The Iowa Institution for the Deaf and Dumb was established 
at Iowa City by an act of the General Assembly, approved January 
24,1855. The number of deaf mutes then in the State was 301; 
the number attending the Institution, 50. 

A strong effort was made, in 1866, to remove this important in- 
stitution to Des Moines, but it was located permanently at Council 
Bluffs, and a building rented for its use. In 1868, Commissioners 
were appointed to locate a site for, and to superintend the erection 
of a new building, for which the Legislature appropriated $125,- 
000 to commence the work of construction. The Commissioners 
selected ninety acres of land about two miles south of the city of 
Council Bluffs. The main building and one wing were completed 
October 1, 1870, and immediately occupied by the Institution. 
February 25, 1877, the main building and east wing were des- 
troyed by fire; and August 6th, following, the roof of the new 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 77 

west wing was blown off and the walls partially demolished 
by a tornado. At the time of the fire, about one hun- 
dred and fifty pupils were in attendance. After the fire, half the 
classes were dismissed and the number of scholars reduced to 
about seventy, and in a week or two the school was in running 
order. 

Trustees, 1881 ;— B. F. Clayton, Macedonia, President; J. H. 
Stubenrauch, Pella, Treasurer; Louis Weinstein, Burlington. Rev. 

A. Rogers, Superintendent. 

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOMES. 
Davenport, Cedar Falls, Glenwood. 

The movement which culminated in the establishment of this 
"beneficient institution was originated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, 
during the civil war of 1861-65. This noble and patriotic lady 
■called a convention at Muscatine, on the 7th of October, 1863, 
for the purpose of devising measures for the support and educa- 
tion of the orphan children of the brave sons of Iowa, who had 
fallen in defense of national honor and integrity. So great was 
the public interest in the movement that there was a large repre- 
sentation from all parts of the State on the day named, and an 
association was organized called the Iowa State Orphan Asylum. 

The first meeting of the Trustees was held February 14, 1864, 
in the Representative Hall, at Des Moines. Committees from 
both branches of the General Assembly were present and were in- 
vited to participate in their deliberations. Arrangements were 
made for raising funds. 

At the next meeting, in Davenport, in March, 1864, the Trus- 
tees decided to commence operations at once, and a committee was 
appointed to lease a suitable building, solicit donations, and pro- 
cure suitable furniture. This committee secured a large brick 
building in Lawrence, Van Buren County, and engaged Mr. 
Fuller, of Mt. Pleasant, as Steward. 

At the annual meeting, in Des Moines, in June, 1864, Mrs. C. 

B. Baldwin, Mrs. G. G. Wright, Mrs. Dr. Horton, Miss Mary E. 
Shelton and Mr. George Sherman, were appointed a committee to 
furnish the building and take all necessary steps for opening the 
" Home," and notice was given that at the next meeting of the 
Association, a motion would be made to change the name of the 
Institution to Iowa Orphans' Home. 

The work of preparation was conducted so vigorously that on 
the 13th day of July following, the Executive Committee an- 
nounced that they were ready to receive the children. In three 
weeks twenty-one were admitted, and the number constantly in- 
<;reased, so that, in a little more than six months from the time 



ib • HISTORY OF IOWA. 

of opening, there were seventy children admitted, and twenty- 
more applications, which the Committee had not acted upon — all 
Orphans of Soldiers. 

The "Home" was sustained by the voluntary contributions of . 
the people, until 1866, when it was assumed by the State. In that 
year, the General Assembly provided for the location of several 
such "Homes" in the different counties, and which were estab- 
lished at Davenport, Scott County; Cedar Falls, Black Hawk 
County, and at Glenwood, Mills County. 

The Board of Trustees, elected by the General Assembly, had 
the oversight and management of the Soldiers' Orphans' Homes 
of the State, and consisted of one person from each county in 
which such Home was located, and one for the State at large, who 
held their offices two years, or until their successors were elected 
and qualified. An appropriation of ^10 per month for each 
orphan actually supported was made by the General Assembly. 

The Home in Cedar Falls was organized in 1865, and an old 
hotel building was fitted up for it. January, 1866, there were 
ninety-six inmates. 

October 12, 1869, the Home was removed to a large brick build- 
ing, about two miles west of Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous 
for several years, but in 1876, the General Assembly established a 
State Normal School at Cedar Falls, and appropriated the build- 
ings and grounds for that purpose. 

By "An act to provide for the organization and support of an 
asylum at Glenwood, in Mills County, for feeble minded children,'^ 
approved March 17, 1876, the buildings and grounds used by the 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were appropriated for this 
purpose. By another act, approved March 15, 1876, the soldiers' 
orphans, then at the Homes at Glenwood and Cedar Falls, Avere to 
be removed to the Home at Davenport within ninety days there- 
after, and the Board of Trustees of the Home were authorized to 
receive other indigent children into that institution, and provide 
for their education in industrial pursuits. 

Trustees 1881.— C. M. Holton, Iowa City; Seth P. Bryant, Da- 
venport; C. C. Horton, Muscatine. S. W. Pierce, Davenport, Su- 
perintendent. 

STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. 
Cedar Falls, Black Hank County. 

Chapter 129 of the laws of the Sixteenth General Assembly, in 
1876, established a State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Black 
Hawk County, and required the Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home to turn over the property in their charge to the Directors 
of the new institution. 

The Board of Directors met at Cedar Falls .June 7, 1876, and 
duly organized. The Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 79 

Home met at the same time for the purpose of turning over to the 
Directors the property of th?t institution, which was satisfactorily 
done and properly receipted for as required by law. 

On the 12th of July, 1876, the Board again met, when executive 
and teachers' committees were appointed and their duties assigned. 
A Steward and a Matron were elected, and their respective duties 
defined. 

The buildings and grounds were repaired and fitted up as well as 
the appropriation would admit, and the first term of school opened 
September 6, 1876, commencing with twenty-seven and closing 
with eighty-seven students. 

Directors, 1881:— C. C. Cory, Pella; E. H. Thayer, Clinton; G. 
S. Robinson, Storm Lake; N. W. Boyes, Dubuque; L. D. Le wel- 
ling, Mitchellville; J. J. Tollerton, Cedar Falls; E. Townsend, 
Cedar Falls, Treasurer. 



ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE MINDED CHILDREN. 

Glenwood, Mills County. 

Chapter 152 of the laws of the Sixteenth General Assembly, ap- 
proved March 17, 1876, provided for the establishment of an asy- 
lum for feeble minded children at Glenwood, Mills County, and the 
buildings and the grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that 
place were to be used for that purpose. The asylum was placed 
under the management of three Trustees, one at least of whom 
should be a resident of Mills County. Children between the ages 
of 7 and 18 years are admitted. Ten dollars per month for each 
child actually supported by the State was appropriated by the act, 
and $2,000 for salaries of officers and teachers for two years. 

Hon. J. AV. Cattell, of Polk County; A. J. Russell, of Mills 
County, and W. S. Robertson, Avere appointed Trustees, who held 
their first meeting at Glenwood, April 26, 1876. The Trustees 
found the house and farm which had been turned over to them in 
a shamefully dilapidated condition. The fences were broken down 
and the lumber destroyed or carried away; the windows broken, 
doors off their hinges, floors broken and filthy in the extreme, cel- 
lars reeking with ofiensive odors from decayed vegetables, ajd 
every conceivable variety of filth and garbage; drains obstructed, 
cisterns broken, pump demoralized, wind-mill broken, roof leaky, 
and the whole property in the worst possible condition. It was 
the first work of the Trustees to make the house tenable. 

The Institution was opened September 1, 1876; the first pupil 
admitted September 4, and the school was organized September 10. 

Trustees, 1881:— Fred. O'Donnell, Dubuque; S. B. Thrall, Ot- 
tumwa; E. R. S. Woodrow, Glenwood; 0. W. Archibald, M. D., 
Medical Superintendent. 



80 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

THE REFORM SCHOOL. 
Eldora^ Hardin County. 

By "An act to establish and organize a State Reform Scliool for 
Juvenile Offenders," approved March 31, 1868, the General Assem- 
bly established a State Reform School at Salem, Lee (Henry) 
County; provided for a Board of Trustees, to consist of one person 
from each Congressional District. For the purpose of immediately 
opening the school, the Trustees were directed to accept the prop- 
osition of the Tr-ustees of White's Iowa Manual Labor Institute, at 
Salem, and lease, for not more than ten years, the lands, buildings, 
etc., of the Institute, and at once proceed to prepare for and open 
a reform school as a temporary establishment. 

The contract for fitting up the buildings was let September 21, 
1868, and on the Tth of October following, the first inmate was 
received from Jasper County. The law provided for the admission 
of children of both sexes under 18 years of age. In 1876, this was 
amended, so that they are now received at ages over 7 and under 
16 years. 

April 19, 1872, the Trustees were directed to make a permanent 
location for the school, and $45,000 was appropriated for the erec- 
tion of the necessary buildings. The Trustees were further di- 
rected, as soon as practicable, to organize a school for girls in the 
buildings where the boys were then kept. 

The Trustees located the school at Eldora, Hardin County, and 
in the code of 1873, it is permanently located there by law. 

The institution is managed by five Trustees, who are paid mile- 
age, but no compensation for their services. 

The object is the reformation of children of both sexes, under 
the age of 16 and over 7 years of age; and the law requires that 
the Trustees shall require the boys and girls under their charge to 
be instructed in piety and morality, and in such branches of useful 
knowledge as are adapted to their age and capacity, and in some 
regular course of labor, either mechanical, manufacturing or agri- 
cultural, as is best suited to their age, strength, disposition and 
capacity, aad as may seem best adapted to secure the reformation 
and future benefit of the boys and girls. 

A boy or girl committed to the State Reform School is there 
kept, disciplined, instructed, employed and governed, under the di- 
rection of the Trustees, until he or she arrives at the age of major- 
ity, or is bound out, reformed or legally discharged. The binding 
out or discharge of a boy or girl as reformed, or having arrived at the 
age of majority, is a complete release from all penalties incurred by 
conviction of the crime for which he or she is committed. 

Trustees, 1881: — J. A. Parvin, Muscatine, President; W. J. 
Moir, Eldorado, Treasurer; W. G. Stewart, Dubuque; J. T. Moor- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 81 

head, Ely; T. E. Corkhill, Mount Pleasant; B. J. Miles, Eldora, 
Superintendent. L. D. Lewelling is Superintendent of the Girl's 
Department, at Mitchellville, Polk County. 

FISH HATCHING ESTABLISHMENT. 

Near Anamosa, Jones County. 

The Fifteenth General Assembly, in 1874, passed " An act to 
provide for the appointment of a Board of Fish Commissioners for 
the construction of P^ishways for the protection and propagation 
of Fish," also, "an act to provide for furnishing the rivers and 
lakes with fish and fish spawn.'' This act appropriated $3,000 for 
the purpose. In accordance with the provisions of the first act 
above mentioned, on the 9th of April, 1874, S. B. Evans of Ot- 
tumwa, Wapello County; B. F. Shaw of Jones County, and Charles 
A. Haines, of Black Hawk County, M'ere aj)pointed to be Fish Com- 
missioners by the Governor. These Commissioners met at Des 
Moines, May 10, 1874, and organized by the election of Mr. Evans, 
President; Mr. Shaw, Secretary and Superintendent, and Mr. 
Haines, Treasurer. 

The State was partitioned into three districts or divisions to en- 
able the Commissioners to better superintend the construction of 
fishways as required by law. At this meeting, the Superintend- 
ent was authorized to build a State Hatching House; to procure the 
spawn of valuable fish adapted to the waters of Iowa; hatch and 
prepare the young fish for distribution, and assist in putting them 
into the waters of the State. 

In compliance with these instructions, Mr. Shaw at once com- 
menced work, and in the summer of 1874^ erected a" State Hatch- 
ing House " near Anamosa. 20x40 feet, two stories; the second story 
being designed for a tenement; the first story being the ''hatching 
room." The hatching troughs are supplied with water from a 
magnificent spring, four feet deep and alDOut ten feet in diameter, 
affording an abundant and unfailing supply of pure running water. 
During the first year, from May 10, 1874, to Mav 10, 1875, the Com- 
missioners distributed within the State 100^^000 Shad, 300,000 
California Salmon, 10,000 Bass, 80,000 Penobscot (Maine) Salmon, 
5,000 land-locked Salmon, 20,000 of other species. 

By act approved March 10, 1876, the law was amended so that 
there should be one instead of three Fish Commissioners, and B. F. 
Shaw was appointed, and the Commissioner was authorized to pur- 
chase twenty acres of land, on which the State Hatching House 
was located near Anamosa. 

In the fall of 1876, Commissioner Shaw gathered from the 
sloughs of the Mississippi, where they would have been destroyed, 
over a million and a half of small fish, which were distributed in 
the various rivers of the State and turned into the Mississippi. 



82 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

In 1875-6, 533,000 California Salmon, and in 1877, 303,500 Lake 
Trout were distributed in various rivers and lakes in the State. 
The experiment of stocking the small streams with brook trout is 
being tried, and 81,000 of the speckled beauties were distributed 
in 1877. In 1876, 100,000 young eels were distributed. These 
came from New York, and they are increasing rapidly. 

A. A. Hosier, of Spirit Lake, was appointed Assistant Fish Com- 
missioner, by the Governor, under Chapter 156, Laws of 1880. 

THE PUBLIC LANDS. 

The grants of public lands made in the State of Iowa, for vari- 
ous purposes^ areas follows: 

1. Tlie 500,000 Acre Grant. 

2. The 16th Section Grant. 

o. The Mortgage School Lands. 

_--- 4. The University Grant 

5. The Saline Grant. 

6. The Dcs Moines River Grant. 

7. The Des Moines River School Jjands. 

8. The Swamp Land Grant. 

9. The Railroad Grant. 

10. The Agricultural College Grant. 

I. THE FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRE GRANT. 

When the State was admitted into the Union, she became en- 
titled to 500,000 acres of land by virtue of an act of Congress, ap- 
proved September 4, 1841, which granted to each State therein 
specified 500,000 acres of public land for internal improvements; 
to each State admitted subsequently to the passage of the act, an 
amount of land which, with the amount that might have been 
granted to her as a Territory, would amount to 500,000 acres. All 
these lands were required to be selected within the limits of the 
State to which they were granted. 

The Constitution of Iowa declares that the proceeds of this grant, 
together with all lands then granted or to be granted by Congress 
for the benefit of schools, shall constitute a perpetual fund for the 
support of schools throughout the State. By an act approved Jan- 
uary 15, 1849, the Legislature established a Board of School Fund 
Commissioners, and to that Board was confided the selection, care 
and sale of these lands for the benefit of the School Fund. Until 
1855, these Commissioners were subordinate to the Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, but on the 15tli of January of that year, 
they were clothed with exclusive authority in the management and 
sale of school lands. The office of School Fund Commissioner was 
abolished March 23, 1858, and that officer in each county was re- 
quired to transfer all papers to and make full settlement with the 
County Judge. By this act. County Judges and Township Trus- 
tees were made the agents of the State to control and sell the six- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 83 

teenth sections; but no further provision was made for the sale of 
the 500,000 acre grant until A]iril 3d, 1860, when the entire manage- 
ment of the school lands was committed to the Boards of Super- 
visors of the several counties. 

II. THE SIXTEENTH SECTIONS. 

By the provisions of the act of Congress admitting Iowa to the 
Union, there was granted to the new State the sixteenth section 
in every township, or where that section had been sold, other 
lands of like amount for the use of schools. The Constitution of 
the State provides that the proceeds arising from the sale of these 
sections shall constitute apart of the permanent school fund. The 
control and sale of these lands were vested in the School Fund 
Commissioners of the several counties until March 23, 1858, when 
they were transferred to the County Judges and Township Trus- 
tees, and were finally placed under the supervision of the County 
Boards of Supervisors in January, 1861. 

III. THE MORTGAGE SCHOOL LANDS. 

These do not belong to any of the grants of land proper. They 
are lands that have been mortgaged to the school fund, and became 
school lands when bid oif by the State by virtue of a law passed in 
1862. Under the provisions of the law regulating the manage- 
ment and investment of the permanent school fund, persons de- 
siring loans from that fund are required to secure the payment 
thereof with interest at ten per cent, per annum, by promissory 
notes endorsed by two good sureties and by mortgage on unincum- 
bered real estate, which must be situated in the county where the 
loan is made, and which must be valued by three appraisers. Mak- 
ing these loans and taking the required securities was made the 
duty of the County Auditor, who was required to report to the 
Board of Supervisors at each meeting thereof, all notes, mortgages 
and abstracts of title connected with the school fund, for examina- 
tion. 

When default was made of payment of money so secured by 
mortgage, and no arrangement made for extension of time as the 
law provides, the Board of Supervisors were authorized to bring 
suit and prosecute it with diligence to secure said fund; and in ac- 
tion in favor of the county for the use of the school fund, an in- 
junction may issue without bonds, and in any such action, when 
service is made by publication, default and judgment may be en- 
tered and enforced without bonds. In case of sale of land on exe- 
cution founded on any such mortgage, the attorney of the board, 
or other person duly authorized, shall, on behalf of the State or 
county for the use of said fund, bid such sum as the interests of 
said fund may require, pnd if struck off to the State the land shall 
be held and disposed of as the other lauds belonging to the fund. 



84 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

These lands are known as the Mortgage School Lands, and reports 
of them, including description and amount, are required to be 
made to the State Land Office. 

IV. UNIYEHSITY LANDS. 

By act of Congress, July 20, 1840, a quantity of land, not ex- 
ceeding two entire townships, was reserved in the Territory of 
Iowa for the use and support of a university within said Territory 
when it should become a State. This land was to be located in 
tracts of not less than an entire section, and could be used for no 
other purpose than that designated in the grant. In an act sup- 
plemental to that for the admission of Iowa, March 3, 1845, the 
grant was renewed, and it was provided that the lands should be 
used "solely for the purpose of such university, in such manner as 
the Legislature may prescribe." 

Under this grant there were set apart and approved by the Sec- 
retary of the Treasury, for the use of the State, the following 
lands. 

ACRES. 

In the Iowa City Land District, Feb. 29, 1849 20,150.49 

In the Fairfield Land District, Oct. 17, 1849 9,685.20 

In the Iowa City Land District, Jan. 28, 1850 2,571.81 

In the Fairfield'Land District, Sept. 10, 1850 3.198.20 

In the Dubuque Land District, May 19, 1852 10,552.24 

Total 45,957.94 

These lands were certified to the State November 19, 1859. The 
University lands are placed by law under the control and manage- 
ment of the Board of Trustees of the Iowa State University. Prior 
to 1865, there had been selected and located under 282 patents, 
22,892 acres in sixteen counties, and 23,036 acres unpatented, 
making a total of 45,928 acres. 

v. SALINE LANDS. 

By act of Congress, approved March 3, 1845, the State of Iowa 
was granted the use of the salt springs within her limits, not ex- 
ceeding twelve. By a subsequent act, approved May 27, 1852, 
Congress granted the springs to the State in fee simple, together 
with six sections of land contiguous to each, to be disposed of as 
the Legislature might direct. In 1861, the proceeds of these lands 
then to be sold were constitutued a fund for founding and sup- 
porting a lunatic asylum, but no sales were made. In 1856, the 
proceeds of the saline lands were appropriated to the Insane 
Asylum, repealed in 1858. In 1860, the saline lands and funds 
were made a part of the permanent fund of the State University. 
These lands were located in Appanoose, Davis, Decatur, Lucas, 
Monroe, Van Buren and Wayne Counties, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 85 

VI. THE DES MOIIiTES RIVER GRANT. 

By act of Congress, approved August 8, 1846, a grant of land 
was made for the improvement of the navigation of Des Moines 
River, as follows: 

Be it enacted hij the Senate and House of Representatires of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That there be, and hereby is, grant- 
ed to said Territory of Iowa, for the purpose of aiding said Ten-itory to improve 
the navigation of the Des Moines River from its mouth to the Raccoon Fork (so 
called) in said Territory, one equal moiety, in alternate sections, of the public 
lands (remaining unsold and not otherwise disposed of, incumbered or appro- 
priated), in a strip five miles in width on each side of said river, to be selected 
within said Territory by an agent or agents to be appointed by the Govenior 
thereof, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United 
States. 

Sec. 2. And he it further enacted, That the lands hereby granted shall not 
be conveyed or disposed of by said Territory, nor by any State to be formed out 
of the same, except as said improvement shall progress; that is, the said Terri- 
tory or State may sell so much of said lands as shall produce the sum of thirty 
thousand dollars, and then the sales shall cease until the Governor of said Ter- 
ritory or State shall certify the fact to the President of the United States that 
one-half of said sum has been expended upon said improvements, when the 
said Ten-itory or State may sell and convey a quantity of the residue of said 
lands sufficient to replace the amount expended, and thus the sales shall pro- 
gress as the proceeds thereof shall be expended, and the fact of such expendi- 
ture shall be certified as aforesaid. 

Sec. 3. And he it further enacted, Tha,t the said River Des Moines shall 
be and forever remain a public highway for the use of the Government of 
the United States, free from any toll or other charge whatever, for any proper- 
ty of the United States or persons in their service passing through or along 
the same; Provided ahvai/s. That it shall not be competent for the said Terri- 
tory or future State of Iowa to dispose of said lands, or any of them, at a price 
lower than, for the time being, shall be the minimum price of other public 
lands. 

Sec. 4. And he it further enacted. That whenever the Territory of Iowa 
shall be admitted into the Union as a State, the lands hereby granted for the 
above purpose shall be and become the property of said State for the purpose 
contemplated in this act, and for no other: Provided, the Legislature of" the 
State of Iowa shall accept the said grant for the said purpose." Approved 
August 8, 1846. 

By joint resolution of the General Assembly of Iowa, approved 
January 9_, 1847, the grant was accepted for the purpose specified. 
By another act, approved February 24, 1847, entitled '' An act 
creating the Board of Public Works, and providing for the im- 
provement of the Des Moines River," the Legislature provided for 
a Board consisting of a President, Secretary and Treasurer, to be 
elected by the people. This Board was elected August 2, 1847, 
and was organized on the 22d of September following. The same 
act defined the nature of the improvement to be made, and pro- 
vided that the work should be paid for from the funds to be derived 
from the sale of lands to be sold by the Board. 

Agents appointed by the Governor selected the sections desig- 
nated by ''odd numbers" throughout the whole extent of the 
grant, and this selection was approved by the Secretary of the 
Treasury. But there was a conflict of opinion as to the extent of 



86 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

the ^rant. It was held by some that it extended from the mouth 
of the Des Moines River only to the Raccoon Forks; others held, 
as the agents to make selection evidently did, that it extended 
from the mouth to the headwaters of the river. Richard M. 
Young, Commissioner of the General Land Office, on the 23d of 
February, 1848, construed the grant to mean that ''the State is 
entitled to the alternate sections within five miles of the Des 
Moines River, throughout the whole extent of that river within 
the limits of Iowa." Under this construction, the alternate sec- 
tions above the Raccoon Forks would, of course, belong to the 
State; but on the 19th of June, 1848, some of these lands were, 
by proclamation, thrown into market. On the 18th of September, 
the Board of Public Works filed a remonstrance with the Com- 
missioner of the General Land Office. The Board also sent in a 
protest to the State Land Office, at which the sale was ordered to 
take place. On the 8th of January, 1849, the Senators and Repre- 
sentatives in Congress from Iowa also protested against the sale, 
in a communication to Hon. Robert J. Walker, Secretary of the 
Treasury, to which the Secretary replied, concurring in the opin- 
ion that the grant extended the whole length of the Des Moines 
River in Iowa. 

On the 1st of June, 1849, the Commissioner of the General 
Land Office directed the Register and Receiver of the Land Office 
at Iowa City ''to withhold from sale all lands situated in the odd 
numbered sections within five miles on each side of the Des 
Moines River, above the Raccoon Forks." March 13, 1850, the 
Commissioner of the General Land Office submitted to the Secre- 
tary of the Interior a list "showing the tracts falliHg within the 
limits of the Des Moines River grant, above the Raccoon Forks, 
etc., under the decision of the Secretary of the Treasury, of March 
2, 1849," and on the 6th of April following, Mr. Ewing, then 
Secretary of the Interior, reversed the decision of Secretary 
Walker, but ordered the lands to be withheld from sale until Con- 
gress could have an opportunity to pass an explanatory act. The 
Iowa authorities appealed from this decision to the President 
(Taylor), who referred the matter to the Attorney General (Mr. 
Johnson). On the 19th of July, Mr. Johnson submitted as his 
opinion, that by the terms of the grant itself, it extended to the 
very source of the Des Moines, but before his opinion was pub- 
lished President Taylor died. When Mr. Tyler's cabinet was 
formed, the question was submitted to the new Attorney General 
(Mr. Crittenden), who, on the 30th of June, 1851, reported that in 
his opinion the grant did not extend above the Raccoon Forks. Mr. 
Stewart, Secretary of the Interior, concurred with Mr. Crittenden 
at first, but subsequently conscted to lay the whole subject be- 
fore the President and (Cabinet, who decided in favor of the State. 

October 29, 1851, Mr. Stewart directed the Commissioner of the 
General Land Office to "submit for his approval such lists as had 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 87 

been prepared, and to proceed to report for like approval lists of 
the alternate sections claimed by the State of Iowa above the 
Raccoon Forks, as far as the surveys have progressed, or may here- 
after be completed and returned." And on the following day, 
three lists of th^se lands Avere prepared in the General Land Office. 
The lands approved and certified to the State of Iowa under this 
grant, and all lying above the Raccoon Forks, are as follows: 

By Secretary Stewai-t, Oct. 30, 1851 81,707.93 acres. 

March 10, 1852 143,908.37 " 

By Secretary McLellan, Dec. 17, 1853 33,142.43 " 

Dec. 30, 1853 12,813.51 " 

Total 271,572.24 acres. 

The Commissioners and Register of the Des Moines River Im- 
provement, in their report to the Governor, November 30, 1852, 
estimate the total amount of lands then available for the work, 
including those in possession of the State and those to be surveyed 
and approved, at nearly a million acres. The indebtedness then 
standing against the fund was about $108,000, and the Commis- 
sioners estimated the work to be done would cost about $1,200,000, 

January 19, 1853, the Legislature authorized the Commissioners 
to sell ''any or all the lands which have or may hereafter be 
granted, for not less than $1,300,000." 

On the 24th of January, 1853, the General Assembly provided 
for the election of a Commissioner by the people, and appointed 
two Assistant Commissioners, with authority to make a contract, 
selling the lands of the Improvement for $1,300,000. This new 
Board made a contract, June 9, 1855, Avith the Des Moines Navi- 
gation & Railroad Company, agreeing to sell all the lands donated 
to the State by Act of Congress of August 8, 1816, which the 
State had not sold prior to December 23, 1853, for $1,300,000, to 
be expended on the improvement of the river, and in paying the 
indebtedness then due. This contract was duly reported to the 
Governor and General Assembly. 

By an act approved January 25, 1855, the Commissioner and 
Register of the Des Moines River Improvement were authorized 
to negotiate with the Des Moines Navigation & Railroad Company 
for the purchase of lands in Webster County, which had been sold 
by the School Fund Commissioner as school lands, but which had 
been certified to the State as Des Moines River lands, and had, 
therefore, become the property of the Company, under the provis- 
ions of its contract with the State. 

March 21, 1856, the old question of the extent of the grant was 
again raised, and the Commissioner of the General Land Office 
decided that it was limited to the Raccoon Fork. Appeal wa.s made 
to the Secretary of the Interior, and by him the matter was re- 
ferred to the Attorney General, who decided that the grant ex- 



88 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

tended to the northern boundary of the State; the State relin- 
quished its claim to the lands lying along the river in Minnesota, 
and the vexed question was supposed to be finally settled. 

The land which had been certified, as well as those extending to 
the northern boundary within the limits of the grant, were reserved 
from pre-emption and sale by the General Land Commissioner, to 
satisfy the grant of August 8, 1846, and they were treated as hav- 
ing passed to the State, which from time to time sold portions of 
them prior to their final transfer to the Des Moines Navigation & 
Railroad Company, applying the proceeds thereof to the improve- 
ment of the river in compliance with the terms of the grant. 
Prior to the final sale to the Company, June 9, 1854, the State had 
sold about 327,000 acres, of which amount 58,830 acres were lo- 
cated above the Raccoon Fork. The last certificate of the General 
Land Office bears date December 30, 1853. 

After June 9tli, 1854, the Des Moines Navigation & Railroad 
Company carried on the work under its contract with the State. 
As the improvement progressed, the State, from time to time, by 
its authorized officers, issued to the Company, in payment for said 
work, certificates for lands. But the General Land Office ceased 
to certify lands under the grant of 1846. The State had made no 
other provision for paying for the improvements, and disagree- 
ments and misunderstanding arose between the State authorities 
and the Company. 

March 22, 1858, a joint resolution was passed by the Legislature 
submitting a proposition for final settlement to the Company, 
which was accepted. The Company paid to the State $20,000 in 
cash, and released and conveyed the dredge boat and materials 
named in the resolution; aud the State, on the 3d day of May, 
1858, executed to the Des Moines Navigation & Railroad Company 
fourteen deeds or patents to the lands, amounting to 256,703.64 
acres. These deeds were intended to convey all the lands of this 
grant certified to the State by the General Government not pre- 
viously sold; but, as if for the purpose of covering any tract or 
parcel that might have been omitted, the State made another deed 
of conveyance on the 18th day of May, 1858. These fifteen deeds, 
it is claimed, by the Company, convey 266,108 acres, of which 
about 53,367 are below the Raccoon Fork, and the balance, 212,741 
acres, are above that point. 

Besides the lands deeded to the Company, the State had deeded 
to individual purchasers 58,830 acres above the Raccoon Fork, 
making an aggregate of 271,571 acres, deeded above the Fork, all 
of which had been certified to the State by the Federal Government. 

By act approved March 28, 1858, the Legislature donated the re- 
mainder of the grant to the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines & Minne- 
sota Railroad Company, upon condition that said Company assumed 
all liabilities resulting from the Des Moines River improvement 
operations, reserving 50,000 acres of the land in security for the 



HISTORY OF TOAYA. 89 

payment thereof, and for the completion of the locks and dams at 
Bentonsport, Croton, Keosauqna and Plymouth. For every three 
thousand doUars' worth of work done on the locks and dams, and 
for every three thousand dolhirs paid by the Company of the lia- 
bilities above mentioned, the Register of the State Land Office was 
instructed to certify to the Company 1,000 acres of the 50,000 acres 
reserved for these purposes. Up to 1865, there had been presented 
by the Company, under the provisions of the act of 1858, and al- 
lowed, claims amounting to §109,579.37, about seventy-five per 
cent, of which had been settled. 

After the passage of the Act above noticed, the question of the 
extent of the original grant was again mooted, and at the Decem- 
ber Term of the Supreme Court of the United States, in 1859-60, 
a decision was rendered declaring that the grant did not extend 
above Raccoon Fork, and that all certificates of land above the Fork 
had been issued without authority of law and were, therefore, void 
(see 23 How., QQ). 

The State of Iowa had disposed of a large amount of land with- 
out authority, according to this decision, and appeal was made to 
Congress for relief, which was granted on the 3d day of March, 

1861, in a joint resolution relinquishing to the State all the title 
which the United States then still retained in the tracts of land 
along the Des Moines River above Raccoon Fork, that had been 
improperly certified to the State by the Department of the Interior, 
and which is now held by bona Jide purchasers under the State of 
Iowa. 

In confirmation of this relinquishment, by act approved July 12, 

1862, Congress enacted: 

That the grant of lands to the tlien Territory of Iowa for the improvement of the 
Des Moines Kiver, made by the act of August 8, 1846, is hereby extended so as 
include the alternate sections (designated by odd numbers) lying within five 
miles of said river, between the Raccoon Fork and the northern boundary of 
said State; such lands are to be held and applied in accordance with the pro\a3- 
ions of the original grant, except that the consent of Congress is hereby given to 
the application of a portion thereof to aid in the constniction of the Keokuk, 
Fort Ues iVIoines & Minnesota Railroad, in accordance with the provisions of the 
act of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa approved March 22, 1858. 
And if any of the said lands shall have been sold or otherwise disposed of by 
the Un tel States bafore the passag3 of this act, except those released by the 
United States ta the grantees of th3 State of Iowa, under joint resolution of 
March 3, 1861, the Secretary of the Interior is hereby directed to set apart an 
equal amount of lands within said State to be certified in lieu thereof; Provided, 
that if the State shall have sold and conveyed any portion of the lands lying 
within the limits of the grant the title of which has proved invalid, any lands 
which shall be certified to said State in lieu thereof by virtue of the provisions 
of this act, shall inure to and be held as a trust fund for the benefit of the per- 
son, or persons, respectively, whose titles shall have failed as aforesaid. 

The grant of lands by the above act of Congress was accepted by a 
joint resolution of the General Assembly, Sept. 11, 1862, in extra ses- 
sion. On the same day, the Governor Avas authorized to appoint one 
or more Commissioners to select the lands in accordance with the 



90 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

grant. These Commissioners were instructed to report their selec- 
tions to the Registrar of the State Laud Office. The L^nds so se- 
lected were to be held for the purposes of the grant, and were not 
to be disposed of until further legislation should be had. D. W. 
Kilburne, of Lee County, was appointed Commissioner, and, on the 
25th day of April, 1864, the General Land Officer authorized the 
selection of 300,000 acres from the vacant public lands as a part of 
the grant of July 12, lS62, and the selections were made in the 
Fort Dodge and k^ioux City Land Districts. 

Many difficulties, controversies and conflicts, in relation to claims 
and titles, grew out of this grant, and these difficulties were en- 
hanced by the uncertaMity of its limits until the act of Congress of 
July, 1862. But the. General Assembly sought, by wise and ap- 
propriate legislation, to protect the integrity of titles .derived from 
the State. Especially was it the determination to protect the actual 
settlers, who had paid their money and made improvements prior 
to the final settlement of the limits of the grant by Congress. 

TII. — THE DES MOINES RIVER SCHOOL LANDS. 

These lands constituted a part of the 500,000 acre grant made 
by Congress in 1811; including 28,378.46 acres in Webster County, 
selected by the Agent of the State under that grant, and approved 
by the Commissioner of the General Land Office February 20, 1851. 
They were ordered into the market June 6, 1853, by the Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, who authorized John Tolman, 
School Fund Commissioner for Webster County, to sell them as 
school lands. Subsequently, when the act of 1846 was construed 
to extend the Des Moines River grant above Raccoon Fork, it was 
held that the odd numbered sections of these lands within five 
miles of the river were appropriated by that act, and on the 30th 
day of December, 1853, 12,813.51 acres were set apart and ap- 
proved to the State by the Secretary of the Interior, as a part of 
the Des Moines River grant. January 6, 1854, the Commissioner 
of the General Land Office transmitted to the Superintendent of 
Public Instruction a certified copy of the lists of these lauds, in- 
dorsed by the Secretary of the Interior. Prior to this action of 
the Department, however, Mr. Tolman had sold to individual pur- 
chasers 3,194.28 acres as school lands, and their titles were, of 
course, killed. For their relief, an act, approved April 2, 1860, 
provided that, upon application and proper showing, these purchas- 
ers should be entitled to draw from the State Treasury the amount 
they had paid, with 10 per cent, interest, on the contract to pur- 
chase made with Mr. Tolman. LTnder this act, five applications 
were made prior to 1864, and the applicants received, in the aggre- 
gate, $949.53. 

By an act approved April 7, 1862, the Governor was forbidden 
to issue to the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad Company any cer- 
tificate of the completion of any part of said road, or any convey- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 91 

auce of lands, until the company should execute and file, in the 
State Land office, a release of its claim — first to certain swamp 
lands; second, to the Des Moines River Lauds sold by Tolman; 
third, to certain other river lands. That act provided that "the 
said company shall transfer their interests in those tracts of land 
in Webster and Hamilton Counties heretofore sold by John Tol- 
man, School Fund Commissioner, to the Register of the State 
Land Office in trust, to enable said Register to carry out and per- 
form said contracts in all cases when he is called upon by the 
parties interested to do so, before the 1st day of January, A. D., 
1861. 

The company filed its release to the Tolman lands, in the Land 
Office, February 27, 1861, at the same time entered its protest that 
it had no claim upon them, never had pretended to have, and had 
never sought to claim them. The Register of the State Land Of- 
fice, under the advice of the Attorney General, decided that pat- 
ents would be issued to the Tolman purchasers in all cases where 
contracts had been made prior to December 23, 1853, and remain- 
ing uncancelled under the act of 1860. But before any were issued, 
on the 27th of August, 1861, the Des Moines Navigation & Rail- 
road Company commenced a suit in Chancery, in the District 
Court of Polk County, to enjoin the issue of such patents. On 
the 30th of August, an ex parte injunction was issued. In Janu- 
ary, 1868, Mr. J. A. Harvey, Register of the Land Office, filed in 
the court an elaborate answer to plaintiffs' petition, denying that 
the company had any right to or title in the lands. Mr. Harvey's 
successor, Mr. C. C. Carpenter, filed a still more exhaustive answer 
February 10, 1868. August 3, 1868, the District Court dissolved 
the injunction. The company appealed to the Supreme Court, 
where the decision of the lower court was affirmed in December, 
1869. 

VIII. SWAMP LAND GRANT. 

An act of Congress, approved March 28, 1850, to enable Ar- 
kansas and other States to reclaim swampy lands within their lim- 
its, granted all the swamp and overflowed lands remaining unsold 
within their respective limits to the several States. Although the 
total amount claimed by Iowa under this act does not exceed 
4,000,000 acres, it has, like the Des Moines River and some of the 
land grants, cost the State considerable trouble and expense, and 
required a deal of legislation. The State expended large sums of 
money in making tlie selections, securing proofs, etc., but the 
General Government appeared to be laboring under the impression 
that Iowa was not acting in good faith; that she had selected a 
large amount of lands under the swamp land grant, transferred her 
interest to counties, and counties to private speculators, and the 
General Land Office permitted contests as to the character of the 
lands already selected by the Agents of the State as "swamp lands." 



92 HISTORY OF IGVVA. 

Congress, by joint resolution Dec. 18, 1856, and by act March 3, 
1857, saved the State from the fatal result of this ruinous policy. 
Many of these lands were selected in 1854 and 1855, immediately 
after several remarkably wet seasons, and it was but natural that 
some portions of the selections would not appear swampy after a 
few dry seasons. Some time after these first selections were made 
persons desired to enter parcels of the so-called swamp lands and 
offering to prove them to be dry. In such cases the General Land 
Office ordered hearing before the local land ofiicers, and if they 
decided the land to be dry, it was permitted to be entered and the 
claim of the State rejected. Speculators took advantage of this. 
Affidavits were bought of irresponsible and reckless men, who, 
for a few dollars, would confidently testify to thecharacter of lands 
they never saw. These applications multiplied until they covered 
3,000.000 acres. It was necessary that Congress should confirm 
all these selections to the State, that this gigantic scheme of fraud 
and plunder might be stopped. The act of Congress of March 3, 
1857, was designed to accomplish this purpose. But the Commis- 
sioner of the General Land Office held that it was only a qualified 
confirmation, and under this construction sought to sustain the 
action of the Department in rejecting the claim of the State, and 
certifying them under act of May 15, 1856, under which the rail- 
road companies claimed all swamp laud in odd numbered sections 
within the limits of their respective roads. This action led to 
serious complications. When the railroad grant was made, it was 
not intended, nor was it understood that it included any of the 
swamp lands. These were already disposed of by previous grant. 
Nor did the companies expect to receive any of them, but under 
the decision of the Department adverse to the State the way was 
opened, and they were not slow to enter their claims. March 4, 
1862, the Attorney General of the State submitted to the General 
Assembly an opinion that the railroad companies were not entitled 
even to contest the right of the State to these lands, under the 
swamp land grant. A letter from the Acting Commissioner of 
the General Land Office expressed the same opinion, and the Gen- 
eral Assembly by joint resolution, approved April 7, 1862, expi-essly 
repudiated the acts of the railroad companies, and disclaimed any 
intention to claim these lands under any other than the act of 
Congress of September 28. 1850. A great deal of legislation has 
been found necessary in relation to these swamp lands. 

IX. THE RAILROAD GRANT. 

One of the most important grants of public lands to Iowa for 
purposes of internal improvement was that known as the "Railroad 
Grant," by act of Congress, approved May 15, 1856. This act 
granted to the State of Iowa, for the purpose of aiding in the con- 
struction of railroads from Burlington, on the Mississippi River, 
to a point on the Missouri River, near the mouth of Platte River; 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 93 

from the city of Davenport, via Iowa City and Fort Des Moines to 
Council Bliitfs; from Lyons City northwesterly to a point of inter- 
section with the main line of the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad, 
near Maquoketa; thence on said main line, running as near as 
practicable to the Forty-second Parallel; across the said State of 
Iowa to the Missoiari River; from the city of Dubuque to a point 
on the Missouri River near Sioux City, with a branch from 
the mouth of the Tete des Morts, to the nearest point 
on said road, to be completed as soon as the main road 
is completed to that point, every alternate section of land, 
designated by odd numbers, for six sections in width, on 
each side of said roads. It was also provided that if it should 
appear, when the lines of those roads were definitely fixed, that 
the United States had sold, or right of pre-emption had attached 
to any portion of said land, the State was authorized to select a 
quantity equal thereto, in alternate sections, or parts of sections, 
within fifteen miles of the lines so located. The lands remaining to the 
United States within six miles on each side of said roads were not 
to be sold for less than the double minimum price of the public 
lands when sold, nor were any of said lands to become subject to 
private entry until they had been first oflfered at public sale at the 
increased price. 

Section 4 of the act provided that the lands granted to said State 
shall be disposed of by said State only in the manner following, 
that is to say: "That a quantity of land not exceeding one hundred 
and twenty sections for each of said roads, and included within a 
continuous length of twenty miles of each of said roads, may be 
sold ; and when the Governor of said State shall certify to the Sec- 
retary of the Interior that any twenty continuous miles of any of 
said roads is completed, then another quantity of land hereby 
granted, not to exceed one hundred and twenty sections for each 
•of said roads having twenty continuous miles completed as afore- 
said, and included within a continuous length of twenty miles of 
each of such roads, may be sold; and so from time to time until said 
roads are completed, and if any of said roads are not completed 
within ten years, no further sale shall be made, and the lands un- 
sold shall revert to the United States." 

At a special session of the General Assembly of Iowa, by act ap- 
proved July 14, 1856, the grant was accepted and the lands were 
granted by the State to the several railroad companies named, pro- 
vided that the lines of their respective roads should be definitely 
fixed and located before April 1, 1857; and provided further, that 
if • either of said companies should fail to have seventy-five 
miles of road completed and equipped by the 1st day of December, 
1859, and its entire road completed by December 1, 1865, it should 
be competent for the State of Iowa to resume all rights to lands 
remaining undisposed of by the company so failing. 



94 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

The railroad companies, with the single exception of the Iowa 
Central Air Line, accepted the several grants in accordance with 
the provisions of the above act, located their respective roads and 
and selected their lands. The grant to the Iowa Central was again 
granted to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company, 
which accepted it. 

By act, approved April 7, 1862, the Dubuque & Cioux City Rail- 
road Company was required to execute a release to the State of cer- 
tain swamp and school lands, included within the limits of its grant, 
in compensation for an extension of the time fixed for the comple- 
tion of its road. 

A careful examination of the act of Congress does not reveal 
any special reference to railroad companies. The lands were granted 
to the State., and the act evidently contemplated the sale of them 
by the State, and the appropriation of the proceeds to aid in the 
construction of certain lines of railroad within its limits. Section 
4 of the act clearly defines the authority of the State in disposing 
of the lands. 

Lists of all the lands embraced by the grant were made, and cer- 
tified to the State by the proper authorities. Under an act of Con- 
gress approved August 3, 1864, entitled, ""An act to rest in the 
several States and Territories the title in fee of the lands which have 
heen or may he certified to them" these certified lists, the originals 
of which are filed in the General Land Office, conveyed to the 
State " the fee simple title to all the lands embraced in such lists 
that are of the character contemplated " by the terms of the act 
making the grant, and "" intended to be granted thereby; but where 
lands embraced in such lists are not of the character embraced by 
such act of Congress, and were not intended to be granted thereby, 
said lists, so far as these lands are concerned, shall be perfectly null 
and void: and no right, title, claim or interest shall be conveyed 
thereby." Those certified lists made under the act of May 15, 1856, 
were forty-three in number, viz: For the Burlington & Missouri 
River Railroad, nine: for the Mississippi & Missouri Railroad, eleven; 
for the Iowa Central Air line, thirteen; and for the Dubuque & 
Sioux City Railroad^ ten. The lands thus approved to the State 
were as fd'cws: 

Burlinfrton 8z Missouri River R R 287,095.34 acres. 

Mississippi & Missouri River R R 774,674.36 " 

Cedar Rapids & Missouri River R R 775.454.19 " 

Dubuque & Sioux City R R 1,226,558.32 " 

A portion of these had been selected as swamp lands by the 
State, under the act of September 28, 1850, and these, by the terms 
of the act of August 3, 1854, could not be turned over to the rail- 
roads unless the claim of the State to them as swamp was first re- 
jected. It was not possible to determine from the records of the 
State Land Officethe extent of the conflicting claims arising un- 
der the two grants, as copies of the swamp land selections in some 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 95 

of the counties were not filed of record. The Commissioner of the 
General Land Office, however, prepared lists of the lands claimed 
by the State as swamp under act of September 28, 1850, and 
also claimed b^' the railroad com|)anies under act of May 15, 1856, 
amounting to 553,203.33 acres, the claim to which as swamp had 
been rejected by the Department. These were consequently cer- 
tified the State as railroad lands. There was no mode other than 
the act of July, 1856, prescribed for transferring the title to these 
lands from the State to the companies. The courts had d'^cided 
that, for the purposes of the grant, the lands belonged io the 
State, and to her the companies should look for their titles. It was 
generally accepted that the act of the Legislature of July, 1856, 
was all that was necessary to complete the transfer of title. Itw^as 
assumed that all the rights and powers conferred upon the State by 
the act of Congress of May 11:, 1856, were by the act of the Gen- 
eral Assembly transferred to the companies; in other words, that 
it was designed to put the companies in the place of the State as 
the grantees from Congress — and, therefore, that which perfected 
the title thereto to the State perfected the title to the companies 
by virtue of the act of July, 1856. One of the companies, how- 
ever, the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, was not 
entirely satisfied with this construction. Its managers thought 
that some farther an:l specific action of the State authorities in ad- 
dition to the act of the Legislature was necessary to complete their 
title. This induced Gov. Lowe to attach to the certified lists his 
official certificate, under the broad seal of the State. On the 9th 
of November, 1859, the Governor thus certified to them (commenc- 
ing at the Missouri River) 187,207.41 acres, and December 27th, 
43,775.70 acres, an aggregate of 231,073.14 acres. These were 
the only lands under the grant that were certified by the State au- 
thorities with any design of perfecting the title already vested in 
the company by the act of July, 1856. The lists which were after- 
ward furnished to the company were simply certified by the Gov- 
ernor as being correct copies of the lists received by the State from 
the United States General Land Office. These subsequent lists em- 
braced lands that had been claimed by the State under the Swamp 
Land Grant. 

It was urged against the claim of the Companies that the effect 
of the act of the Legislature was simply to substitute them for the 
State as parties to the grant. 1st. That the lands were granted 
to the State to be held in trust for the accomplishment of a specific 
purpose, and therefore the State could not part with the title until 
that purpose should have been accomplished. 2d. That it was 
not the intention of the act of July 14, 1856, to deprive the State 
of the control of the lands, but on the contrary that she should 
retain supervision of them and the right to withdraw all rights 
and powers and resume the title conditionally conferred by that act 
upon the companies in the event oP their failure to complete their 



96 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

part of the contract. 3d. That the certified lists from the Gen- 
eral Land Office vested the title in the State only by virtue of the 
act of Congress approved August 3, 1854. The State Land Office 
held that the proper construction of the act of July 14, 1856, when 
accepted by the companies, was that it hecame a cotid it ional contract 
that might ripen into a positive sale of the lands as from time to 
time the work should progress, and as the State thereby became 
authorized by the express terms of the grant to sell them. 

This appears to have been the correct construction of the act, 
but by a subsequent act of Congress, approved June 2, 1864, 
amending the act of 1856, the terms of the grant were changed, 
and numerous controversies arose between the companies and the 
State. 

The ostensible purpose of this additional act was to allow the 
Davenport & Council Bluffs Railroad "to modify or change the 
location of the uncompleted portion of its line,'' to run through 
the town of Newton, Jasper County, or as nearly as practicable to 
that point. The original grant had been made to the State to aid 
in the construction of railroads within its limits, and not to the 
companies, but Congress, in 1864, appears to have been utterly 
ignorant of what had been done under the act of 1856, or, if not, 
to have utterly disregarded it. The State had accepted the origin- 
al grant. The Secretary of the Interior had already certified to 
the State all the lands intended to be included in the grant within 
fifteen miles of the lines of the several railroads. It will be re- 
membered that Section 4, of the act of May 15, 1856, specifies the 
manner of sale of these lands from time to time as work on the 
railroads should progress, and also provided that ''if any of said 
roads are not completed within ten years, no further sale shall be 
made, and the lands unsold shall revert to the United States." 
Having vested the title to these lands in trust, in the State of Iowa, 
it is plain that until the expiration of the ten years there coukl be 
no reversion, and the State, not the United States, must control 
them until the grant should expire by limitation. The United 
States authorities could not rightfully require the Secretary of the 
Interior to certify directly to the companies any portion of the 
lands already certified to the State. And yet Congress, by its act 
of June 2, 1864, provided that whenever the Davenport & Council 
Bluffs Railroad Company should file in the General Land Office, at 
Washington, a map definitely showing such new location, the 
Secretary of the Interior should cause to be certified and con- 
veyed to said Company, from time to time, as the road progressed, 
out of any of the lands belonging to the United States, not sold, 
reserved, or otherwise disposed of, or to which a pre-emption claim 
or right of homestead had not attached, and on which a bona Jide 
settlement and improvement had not been made under color of 
title derived from the United States, or from the State of Iowa, 
within six miles of such newly located line, an amount of land 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 97 

per mile equal to that originally authorized to be granted to aid in 
the construction of said road by the act to which this was an 
amendment. 

The term " out of any lands beJonf/inc/ to the United States, not 
sold, reserved or otherwise disposed of, etc.," would seem to indi- 
cate that Congress did intend to grant lands already granted, but 
when it declared that the Company should have an amount per 
mile equal to that originally autJwrized to he granted, it is plain 
that the framers of the bill were ignorant of the real terms of the 
original grant, or that they designed that the United States should 
resume the title it had already parted Avith two years before the 
lands could revert to the United States under the original act, 
which was not repealed. 

A similar change was made in relation to the Cedar Rapids & 
Missouri Railroad, and dictated the conveyance of liinds in a 
similar manner. 

Like provision was made for the Dubuque & Sionx City Rail- 
road, and the Company was permitted to change the location of 
its line between Fort Dodge and Sicux City, so as to secure the 
best route between those points; but this change of location was 
not to impair the right to the land granted in the original act, 
nor did it change the location of those lands. 

By the same act, the Mississippi k Missouri Railroad Company 
was authorized to transfer and assign all or any part of the grant 
to any other company or person, ''if, in the opinion of said Com- 
pany, the construction of said railroad across the State of Iowa 
would be thereby sooner and more satisfactorily completed; but 
such assignee shuuld not in any case be released from the liabili- 
ties and conditions accompanying this grant, nor acquire perfect 
title in any other manner than the same would have been ac- 
quired by the original grantee." 

Still farther, the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad was not 
forgotten, and was, by the same act, empowered to receive an 
amount of land per mile equal to that mentioned in the original 
act, and if that could not be found within the limits of six miles 
from the line of said road, then such selection might be made 
along such line within twenty miles thereof out of any public 
lauds belonging to the United States, not sold, reserved or other- 
wise disposed of, or to which a pre-emption claim or right of 
homestead had not attached. 

Those acts of Congress, which evidently originated in the 
"lobby,"' occasioned much controversy and trouble. The Depart- 
ment of the Interior, however, recognizing the fact that when the 
Secretary had certified the lands to the State, under the act of 
1856, that act divested the United States of title, under the vest- 
ing act of August, 185-1:, refused to review its action, and also re- 
fused to order any and all investigations for establishing adverse 
claims (except in pre-emption cases), on the ground that the 



98 HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

United States had parted Avith the title, and. therefore, could ex- 
ercise no control over the land. 

May 12, 1864, before the passage of the amendatory act above 
described. Congress granted to the State of Iowa, to aid in the 
construction of a railroad from McGregor to Sioux City, and for 
the benefit of the McGregor Western Kailroad Company, every 
alternate section of land, designated by odd numbers, for ten 
sections in width on each side of the proposed road, reserving the 
right to substitute other lands, whenever it was found that the 
grant infringed upon pre-empted lands, or on lands that had been 
reserved or disposed of for any other purpose. In such cases, the 
Secretary of the Interior was instructed to select, in lieu, lands 
belonging to the United States lying nearest to the limits specified. 

X. AGRICULTUEAL COLLEGE AND FAEM LAND. 

An Agricultural College and Model Farm was established by act 
of the General Assembly, approved March 22, 1858. By the elev- 
enth section of the act. the proceeds of the five-section grant 
made for the purpose of aiding in the erection of public buildings 
was appropriated, subject to the approval of Congress, together 
with all lands that Congress might thereafter grant to the State 
for the purpose for the benifit of the institution. On the 23d of 
March, by joint resolution, the Legislature asked the consent of 
Congress to the proposed transfer. By act approved July 11, 1862, 
Congress removed the restrictions imposed in the "five-section 
grant," and authorized the General Assembly to make such disposi- 
tion of the lands as should be deemed best for the interests of the 
State. By these several acts, the five sections of land in Jasper 
County certified to the State to aid m the erection of public buildings 
under the act of March 3, 1845, entitled: ''An act supple- 
mental to the act for the admission of the States of Iowa and 
Florida into the Union," were fully appropriated for the ben- 
efit of the Iowa Agricultural College and Farm. The institu- 
tion is located in Story County. Seven hundred and twenty-one 
acres in that and two hundred in Boone County were donated to 
it by individuals interested in the success of the enterprise. 

By act of Congress approved July 2, 1822, an appropriation was 
made to each State and Territory of 30,000 acres for each Senator 
and Representative in Congress, to which, by the apportionment 
under the census of 1850, they were respectively entitled. This 
grant was made for the purpose of endowing colleges of agricul- 
ture and mechanic arts. 

Iowa accepted this grant by an act passed at an extra session of 
its Legislature, approved September 11, 1862, entitled "An act to 
accept of the grant, and carry into execution the trust conferred upon 
the State of Iowa by an act of Congress entitled 'An act granting 
public lands to the several States and Territories which may pro- 
vide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts,' 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 99 

approved July 2, 1862.'" This act made it the duty of the Govern- 
or to appoint an agent to select and locate the lands, and provided 
fhat none should be selected that were claimed by any county as 
swamp lands. The agent was required to make report of his doings 
to the Governor, who was instructed to submit the list of selections 
to the Board of Trustees of the Agricultural College for their ap- 
proval. One thousand dollars were appropriated to carry the law 
into effect. The State, having two Senators and six Representa- 
tives in Congress, was entitled to 240,000 acres of land under this 
grant, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining an Agricul- 
tural College. Peter Melendy, Esq., of Black Hawk County, was 
appointed to make the selections, and during August, Septem- 
ber and December, 1863, located them in the Fort Dodge, Des 
Moines and Sioux City Land Districts. December 8, 1864, these 
selections were certified by the Commissioner of the General Land 
Office, and were approved to the State by the Secretary of the In- 
terior December 13, 1864. The title to these lands was vested in 
the State in fee simple, and conflicted with no other claims under 
other grants. 

The agricultural lands were approved to the State as 240,000.96 
acres; but 35,691.66 acres were located within railroad limits, which 
were computed at the rate of two acres for one, the actual amount 
of land approved to the State under this grant was only 204,309.30 
acres, located as follows: 

In Des Moines Land District 6,804.96 acres. 

. In Sioux City Land District 59,025.37 " 

In Fort Dodge Land District 138,478.97 " 

By act of the General Assembly, approved March 29, 1864, en- 
titled, "An act authorizing the Trustees of the Iowa State Agri- 
cultural College and Farm, to sell all lands acquired, granted, do- 
nated or appropriated for the benefit of said College, and to make 
an investment of the proceeds thereof," all these lands were granted 
to the Agricultural College and Farm, and the Trustees were au- 
thorized to take possession and sell or lease them. They were then 
under the control of the Trustees, lands as follows: 

Under the act of July 2, 1852 304,309.30 acres. 

Of the five-section grant 3,200.00 '' 

Lands donated in Story County 721.00 " 

Lands donated in Boone County 200.00 " 

Total 208,430.30 acres. 

The Trustees opened an office at Fort Dodge, and appointed Hon. 
G. W. Bassett their agent for the sale of these lands. 

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

The germ of the free public school system of Iowa, which now 
ranks second to none in the United States, was planted by the first 
settlers. They had migrated to the " Beautiful Land '' from other 



100 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

and older States, where the common school system had been tested 
by many years' experience, bringing with them some knowledge of 
its advantages, which they determined should be enjoyed by the 
children of the land of their adoption. The system thus planted 
was expanded and improved in the broad fields of the West, until 
now it is justly considered one of the most complete, comprehen- 
sive and liberal in the country. 

Nor is this to be wondered at when it is remembered humble log 
school houses were built almost as soon as the log cabin of the ear- 
liest settlers were occupied by their brave builders. In the lead 
raining regions of the State, the first to be occupied by the white 
race, the hardy pioneers provided the means for the education of 
their children even before they had comfortable dwellings for their 
families. School teachers were among the first immigrants to 
Iowa. Wherever a little settlement was made, the school house 
was the first united public act of the settlers; and the rude, primi- 
tive structures of the early time only disappeared when the com- 
munities had increased in population and wealth, and were able to 
replace them with more commodious and comfortable buildings. 
Perhaps in no single instance has the magnificent progress of the 
State of Iowa been more marked and rapid than in her common 
school system and in her school houses, which, long since, super- 
seded the log cabins of the first settlers. To-day, the school houses 
which everywhere dot the broad and fertile prairies of Iowa are 
unsurpassed by those of any other State in the great Union. More 
especially is this true in all her cities and villages, where liberal 
and lavish appropriations have been voted, by a generous people, 
for the erection of large, commodious and elegant buildings, fur- 
nished with all the modern improvements, and costing from $10,000 
to $60,000 each. The people of the State have expended more 
than $10,000,000 for the erection of public school buildings. 

The first house erected in Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, 
built by James L. Langworthy ' and a few other miners, in the 
Autumn of 1833. 

Mrs. Caroline Dexter commenced teaching in Dubuque in March, 
1836. She was the first female teacher there, aud probably the 
first in Iowa. The first tax for the support of schools at Dubuque 
was levied in 181:0. 

Among the first buildings erected at Burlington was a commodi- 
ous log school house in 1834, in which Mr. Johnson Pierson taught 
the first school in the Winter of 1834-5. 

The first school in Muscatine County was taught by George 
Bumgardner, in the Spring of 1837, and in 1839, a log school 
house was erected in Muscatine, which served for a long time for 
school house, church and public hall. The first school in Daven- 
port was taught in 1838. In Fairfield Miss Clarissa Sawyer, 
James F. Chambers and Mrs. Reed taught school in 1839. 



II 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. • 101 

When the site of Iowa City was selected as the capital of the 
Territory of Iowa, in May, 1839, it was a perfect wilderness. The 
first sale of lots took place Auo;ust 18, 1839, and before January 
1, 1810, about twenty families had settled within the limits of the 
town; and during the same year, Mr. Jesse Berry opened a school in 
a small frame building he had erected, on what is now College street. 

The first settlement in Monroe County was made in 1813, by 
Mr. John R. Gray, about two miles from the present site of Eddy- 
ville; and in the Summer of 1811, a log school house was built, 
and the first school was opened. About a year after the first cabin 
was built at Oskaloosa, a log school house was built. 

At Fort Des Moines, now the Capital of the State, the first 
school was taught in the Winter of 1816-7. 

The first school in Pottawattamie County was opened at Council 
Point, prior to 1819. 

The first school in Decorah was taught in 1853. In Osceola, 
the first school was opened by Mr. D. W. Scoville. The first 
school at Fort Dodge was taught in 1S55, by Cyrus C. Carpenter, 
since Governor of the State. In Crawford County, the first school 
house was built in Mason's Grove, in 1856, and Morris McHenry 
first occupied it as teacher. 

During the first twenty years of the history of Iowa, the log 
school houses prevailed, and in 1861, there were 893 of these 
primitive structures in use for school purposes in the State. Since 
that time they have been gradually disappearing. In 1865, there 
were 796; in '1870, 336; and in 1875, 121. 

Iowa Territory was created July 3, 1838. January 1, 1839, the 
Territorial Legislature passed an act providing that "' there shall 
be establisked a common school, or schools, in each of the counties 
in this Territory, which shall be open and free for every class of 
white citizens between the ages of five and twenty-one years." 
The second section of the act provided that "the County Board 
shall, from time to time, form such districts in their respective 
counties whenever a petition may be presented for the purpose by 
a majority of the voters resident within such contemplated dis- 
trict,'' These districts were governed by boards of trustees, 
usually of three persons; each district was required to maintain 
school at least three months in every year; and later, laws were 
enacted providing for county school taxes for the payment of 
teachers, and that whatever additional sum might be required 
should be assessed upon the parents sending, in proportion to the 
length of time sent. 

When Iowa Territory became a State, in 1816, with a popula- 
tion of 100,000, and with 20,000 pupils within its limits, about 
four hundred school districts had been organized. In 1850, there 
were 1,200, and in 1857, the number had increased to 3,265, 

In March, 1858, the Seventh General Assembly enacted that 
"each civil township is declared a school district,' and provided 



102 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

that these should be divided into sub-districts. Tliis law went into 
force March 20, 1858, and reduced the number of school districts 
from about 3,500 to less than 900. 

This change of school organization resulted in a very material 
reduction of the expenditures for the compensation of District 
Secretaries and Treasurers. An effort was made for several years, 
from 1867 to 1872, to abolish the sub-district system. The Legis- 
lature of 1870, provided for the formation of independent districts 
from the sub-districts of district townships. The system of 
graded schools was inaugurated in 1849; and new schools, in which 
more than one teacher is employed, are universally graded. 

The first official mention of Teachers' Institutes in the educa- 
tional records of Iowa, occurs in the annual report of Hon. Thomas 
H. Benton, Jr., made December 2, 1850. 

In March, 1858, an act was passed authorizing the holding of 
Teachers' Institutes for periods not less than six working days, 
whenever not less than thirty teachers should desire. The Super- 
intendent was authorized to expend not exceeding §100 for any one 
Institute, to be paid out by the County Superintendent as the In- 
stitute might diiect for teachers and lecturers, and one thousand 
dollars was appropriated to defray the expenses of these Institutes. 

The Board of Education at its first session, commencing Decem- 
ber 6, 1858, enacted a code of school laws which retained the ex- 
isting provisions for Teachers' Institutes. In March, 1860, the 
General Assembly amended the act of the Board by appropriating 
"a sum not exceeding fifty dollars annually for one such Institute, 
held as provided bylaw in each county." 

By act approved March 19, 1871, Normal Institutes were estab- 
lished in each county, to be held annually by the County Superin- 
tendent, and in 1876 the Sixteenth General Assembly established 
the first permanent State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk 
County, appropriating the building and property of the Soldiers' 
Orphans" Home at that place for that purpose. 

The public school system of Iowa is admirably oi-ganized, and if 
the various ofiicers who are entrusted with the educational interests 
of the commonwealth are faithful and competeiit, should and will 
constantly improve. 

''The public schools are supported by funds arising from several 
sources. The sixteenth section of every Congressional Township 
was set apart by the General Government for school purposes, be- 
ing one-thirty-sixth part of all the lands of the State. The mini- 
mum price of these lands was fixed at one dollar and twenty-five 
cents per acre. Congress also made an aiditional donation to the 
State of five hundred thousand acres, and an appropriation of five 
per cent, on all the sales of public lands to the school fund. The 
State gives to this fund the proceeds of the sales of all lands which 
escheat to it; the proceeds of all fines for the violation of the 
liquor and criminal laws. The money derived from these sources 



■ HISTORY OF IOWA. 103 

constitutes the permanent school fund of the State, which cannot 
be diverted to any other purpose. The penalties collected by the 
courts for fines and forfeits go to the school fund in the counties 
where collected. The proceeds of the sale of lands and the five 
per cent, fund go into the State Treasury, and the State distrib- 
utes these proceeds to the several counties according to their re- 
quest, and the counties loan the money to individuals for long 
terms at eight per cent, interest, on security of land valued at three 
times the amount of the loan, exclusive of all buildings and im- 
provements thereon. The interest on these loans is paid into the 
State Treasury, and becomes the available school fund of the State. 
The counties are responsible to the State for all money so loaned, 
and the State is likewise responsible to the school fund for all 
moneys transferred to the counties. The interest on these loans 
is apportioned by the State Auditor semi-annually to the several 
counties of the State, in proportion to the number of persons 
between the ages of five and twenty-one years. The counties also 
levy an annual tax for school purposes, which is apportioned to 
the several district townships in the same way. A district tax 
is also levied for the same purpose. The money arising from these 
several sources constitutes the support of the public schools, and 
is sufiicient to enable every sub-district in the State to afford from 
six to nine months' school each j^ear." 

The taxes levied for the support of schools are self-imposed. 
Under the admirable school laws of the State, no taxes can be le- 
gally assessed or collected for the erection of school houses until 
they have been ordered by the election of the district at a school 
meeting legally called. The school houses of Iowa are the pride 
of the State and an honor to the people. If they have been some- 
times built at a prodigal expense, the tax payers have no one to 
blame but themselves. The teachers' and contingent funds are 
determined by the Directors, under certain legal restrictions. 
These boards are elected annually, except in the independent dis- 
tricts, in which the board may be entirely changed every three 
years. The only exception to this mode of levying taxes for sup- 
port of schools is the county school tax, which is determined by 
the County Board of Supervisors. The tax is from one to three 
mills on the dollar; usually, however, but one. 

In his admirable message to the General Assembly, just previous 
to retiring from the Gubernatorial chair. Gov. Gear has the follow- 
ing to say concerning the public schools of Iowa: 

''The number of school children reported is 594,750. Of this 
number 384,192 are, by approximation, between the ages of six 
and sixteen years. The number of all ages enrolled m the schools is 
431,513, which shows that much the greater proportion of chil- 
dren of school age avail themselves of the benefits of our educa- 
tional system. The average attendance is 254,088. The schools 
of the State have been in session, on an average, 148 days. 



104 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

"There is, doubtless, quite a percentage of children who attend 
schools other than those of a public character. Yet the figures I 
have quoted show clearly that very many children, through the 
negligence or unwillingness of parents, do not attend school at all, 
but are in a fair way to grow up in ignorance. I, therefore, earn- 
estly suggest that you consider the expediency of enacting a com- 
pulsory educational law, which should require attendance upon 
schools of some kind, either public or private. To me it does 
seem as if the State shall not have done her full duty by the chil- 
dren, until she shall have completed her educational system by 
some such enactment. 

"The interest in the normal institutes is maintained, and,, beyond 
doubt, they render great aid in training the teachers who attend 
them. 

"The receipts for all school purposes throughout the State were 
$5,006,023.60, and the expenditures ^5,129,279.49; but of these re- 
ceipts and expenditures about $400,000 was of money borrowed to 
refund outstanding bonds at lower rates of interest. 

"The amount on hand aggregated, at the end of the fiscal year, 
$2,653,356.55. This sum is, in my judgment, much larger than 
the necessities of the schools require, and it would be well to im- 
pose some check to prevent an excessive or unnecessary levy of 
taxes for school purposes." 

The significance of such facts as these is unmistakable. Such 
lavish expenditures can only be accounted for by the liberality 
and public spirit of the people, all of whom manifest their love of 
popular education and their faith in the public schools by the an- 
nual dedication to their support of more than one per cent, of their 
entire taxable property; this too. uninterruptedly through a series 
of years, commencing in the midst of a war which taxed their en- 
ergies and resources to the extreme, and continuing through years 
of general depression in business— years of moderate yield of pro- 
duce, of discouragingly low prices, and even amid the scanty sur- 
roundings and privations of pioneer life. Few human enterprises 
have a grander significance or give evidence of a more noble pur- 
pose than the generous contributions from the scanty resources of 
the pioneer for the purposes of public education. 

POLITICAL RECORD. 

TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 

Governors — Robert Lucas, 1838-41; John Chambers, 1841-45; 
James Clarke, 1845. 

Secretaries — William B. Conway, 1838, died 1839; James Clarke, 
1839; 0. H. W. Stull, 1841; Samuel J. Burr, 1843; Jesse Wil- 
liams, 1845. 

Auditors— :ie^se Williams, 1840; Wm. L. Gilbert, 1843; Robert 
M. Secrest, 1845. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 105 

Treasurers — Thornton Bayliss, 1839; Morgan Reno, 1840. 

Judges — Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838; Joseph Williams, 
1838, "Thomas S. Wilson, 1838. 

Presidents of Council — Jesse B. Browne, 1838-9 ; Stephen 
Hempstead, 1839^0; M. Bainridge, 1840-1; Jonathan W. Parker, 
1841-2; John D.Elbert, 1842-3; Thomas Cox, 1843-4; S.Clinton 
Hastings, 1845; Stephen Hempstead, 1845-6. 

SiJeakers of the HoHse— William H. Wallace, 1838-9; Edward 
Johnston, 1839-40; Thomas Cox, 1840-1; Warner Lewis, 1841-2; 
James M. Morgan, 1842-3; James P. Carleton, 1843-4; James 
M. Morgan, 1845; George W. McCleary, 1845-6. 

First Constitutional Convention^ 1844 — Shepherd Leffler, Presi- 
dent; Geo. S. Hampton, Secretary. 

Second Constitutional Convention, 1846 — Enos Lowe, President; 
William Thompson, Secretary. 

OFFICERS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT. 

Governors — Ansel Briggs, 1846 to 1850; Stephen Hempstead, 
1850 to 1854; James W. Grimes, 1854 to 1858; Ralph P. Lowe, 
1858 to 1860; Samuel J. Kirk wood, 1860 to 1864; William M. 
Stone, 1864 to 1868; Samuel Morrill, lc68 to 1872; Cyrus C. Car- 
penter, 1872 to 1876; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876 to 1877; Joshua 
G. Newbold, Acting, 1877 to 1878; John H. Gear, 1878 to 1882; 
Buren R. Sherman, 1882 to ■ . 

Lieutenant Governors — Office created by the new Constitution 
September 3, 1857— Oran Faville, 1858-9; Nicholas J. Rusch, 
1860-1; John R. Needham, 1862-3; Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-5; 
Benjamin F. Gae, 1866-7; John Scott, 1868-9; M. M. Walden, 
1870-1; H. C. Bulls, 1872-3; Joseph Dysart, 1874-5; Joshua G. 
Newbold, 1876-7; Frank T. Campbell, 1878-82; 0. H. Manning, 
1882 to . 

Secretaries of State — Elisha Cutler, Jr., Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 4, 
1848; Josiah H. Bonney, Dec. 4, 1848, to Dec. 2, 1850; George W. 
McCleary, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 1,1856; Elijah Sells, Dec. 1, 1856, 
to Jan. 5, 1863; James Wright, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Ed. 
Wright, Jan. 7, 18(37, to Jan. 6, 1873; Josiah T. Young, Jan. 6, 
1873, to 1879; J. A. T. Hull, 1879 to ." 

Auditors of State— JoseYih T. Fales, Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 2, 1850; 
William Pattee, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1854; Andrew J. Stevens, 
Dec. 4, 1854, resigned in 1855;^ John Pattee, Sept. 22, 1855, to 
Jan. 3, 1859; Jonathan W. Cattell, 1859, to 1865; John A. Elliot, 
1865 to 1871; John Rassell, 1871 to 1875; Buren R.*-Sherman, 
1875 to 1881; W. V. Lucas, 1881 to . 

Treasurers of State — Morgan Reno, Dec. 18, 1846, to Dec. 2, 
1850; Israel Kister, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1852, Martin L. Mor- 
ris, Dec. 4, 1852, to Jan. 2, 1859; John W. Jones, 1859 to 1863; 
William H. Holmes, 1863 to 1867; Samuel E. Rankin, 1867 to 



100 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

1873; William Christy, 1873 to 1877; George W. Berais, 1877 to 
1881; Edwin G. Conger, 1881 to . 

Superintendents of Public Instruction — Office created in 1847 — 
James Harlan, June 5, 1845 (Supreme Court decided election void); 
Thomas H. Benton, Jr., May 23, 1844, to June 7, 1854; James D. 
Eads, 1854-7; Joseph C. Stone, March to June, 1857; Maturin L. 
Fisher, 1857 to Dec. 1858, when the office was abolished and the 
duties of the office devolved upon the Secretary of the Board of 
Education. 

Secretaries of the Board of Education — Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 
1859-1863; Oran Faville, Jan. 1, 1864. Board abolished March 
23, 1864. 

Superintendents of Public Instruction — Office re-created March 
23, 1864— Oran Faville, March 28, 1864. resigned March 1, 1867; 
D. Franklin Wells, March 4, 1867, to Jan., 1870; A. S. Kissell, 
1870 to 1872; Alonzo Abernethy, 1872 to 1877; Carl W. von 
Coelln, 1877 to 1882; J. W. Akers, 1882 to . 

State Binders — Office created February 21, 1855 — William M. 
Coles, May 1, 1855, to May 1, 1859; Frank M. Mills, 1859 to 1867; 
James S. Carter, 1867 to 1870; J. J. Smart, 1870 to 1874; H. A. 
Perkins, 1874 to 1878; Matt Parrott, 1878 to . 

Beqisters of the State Land Office — Anson Hart, May 5, 1855, to 
Mav'l3, 1857; Theodore S. Parvin, May 13, 1857, to Jan. 3, 1859; 
Anios B. Miller, Jan. 3. 1859, to October, 1862; Edwin Mitchell. 
Oct. 31, 1862, to Jan. 5, 1863; Josiah A. Harvey, Jan. 5, 1863, to 
Jan. 7, 1867; Cyrus C. Carpenter, Jan. 7, 1867, to January, 1871; 
Aaron Brown, January. 1871, to January, 1875; David Secor, Jan- 
uary, 1875, to 1879; J. K. Powers, 1879 to . 

State Printers — Office created Jan. 3, 1840 — Garrett D. Palmer 
and George Paul, 1849; William H. Merritt, 1851 to 1853; Wil- 
liam A. Hornish, 1853 (resigned May 16, 1853); Mahoney & Dorr, 
1853 to 1855; Peter Moriarty, 1855 'to 1857; John Teesdale, 1857 
to 1861; Francis W. Palmer, 1861 to 1869; Frank M. Mills, 1869 
to 1870; G. W. Edwards, 1870 to 1872; R. P. Clarkson, 1872 to 
1878; Frank M. Mills, 1878 to . 

Adjutants General — Daniel S. Lee, 1851-5; Geo. W. McCleary, 
1855-7; Elijah Sells, 1857: Jesse Bowen, 1857-61; Nathaniel Ba- 
ker, 1861 to 1877; John H. Looby, 1877 to 1879; W. L. Alexan- 
der, 1879 to . 

Attornei/s General — David C. Cloud, 1853-56; Samuel A. Rice, 
1856-60; Charles C. Nourse, 1861-4; Isaac L. Allen. 1865 (resigned 
January, 18GG); Frederick E. Bissell, 1866 (died June 12, 1867); 
Henry O'Connor, 1867-72; Marsena E. Cutts, 1872-6; John F. 
McJunkin, 1877 to 1881; Smith McPherson, 1881 to . 

Presidents of the Senate — Thomas Baker, 1846-7; Thomas 
Hughes, 1848; John J. Selman, 1818-9; Enos Lowe, 1850-1 ; Wil- 
liam E. Leffingwell, 1852-3; Maturin L. Fisher, 1854-5; William 



HISTORY OF 10V» A. 107 

W. Hamilton, 18oG-7. Under the New Constitution, the Lieuten- 
ant Governor is President of the Senate. 

Speakers of the House^'Jesse B. Brown, 1847-8; Smiley H. 
Bonhan. 1849-50; George Temple, 1851-2; James Grant, 1853-^; 
Beuben Noble, 1855-G; Samuel McFarland, 1856-7; Stephen B. 
Sheledy, 1858-9; John Edwards, 1860-1; Rush Clark, 1862-8; Ja- 
cob Butler, 1864-5; Ed. Wright, 1866-7; John Russell, 1868-9; 
Aylett R. Cotton, 1870-1; James Wilson, 1872-3; John H. Gear, 
1874-7; John Y. Stone, 1878 9; Lore Alford, 1880-1; G. R. Stru- 
ble, 1882 to . 

NeiP Constitidional Convention^ ISuO — Francis Springer, Presi- 
dent; Thos. J. Saunders, Secretary. 

STATE OFFICERS, 1882. 

Buren R. Sherman, Governor; 0. H. Manning, Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor; John A. T. Hull, Secretary of State; William V. Lucas, Au- 
ditor of State; Edwin H. Conger, Treasurer of State; James K. 
Powers, Register of State Land Office; W. L. Alexander. Adjutant 
General: Smith McPherson, Attorney General; Edward J. Holmes, 
Clerk of the Supreme Court; Jno. S. Runnells, Reporter Supreme 
Court; J. W. Akers, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Frank 
M. Mills, State Printer; Matt. Parrott, State Binder; Prof. Nathan 
R. Leonard, Superintendent of Weights and Measures; Mrs. S. B. 
Maxwell, State Librarian. 

THE JUDICIARY. 

SUPREME COURT OF I0W^\, 1882. 

Chief Justice, Austin Adams, Dubuque; Associate Judges, Wil- 
liam H. Seevers, Oskaloosa; James G. Day, Sidney; James H. Roth- 
rock. Tipton; Joseph M. Beck, Forfc Madison. 

DISTRICT COURTS, 1882. 

First Judicial District, Abraham* H. Stutsman, Burlington; Sec- 
ond Judicial District, Edward L. Burton, Ottumwa; Third Judicial 
District, R. C. Henry, Mount Ayr; Fourth Judicial District, Charles 
H. Lewis, Cherokee: Fifth Judicial District, William H. McHenry, 
Des Moines; Sixth Judicial District, John C. Cook, Newton; Sev- 
enth Judicial District, Walter I. Hayes, Clinton: Eighth Judicial 
District, John Shane, Vinton; Ninth Judicial District, Sylvester 
Bagg, Waterloo; Tenth Judicial District, Ezekiel E. Cooley, De- 
corah; Eleventh Judicial District. James W. McKenzie, Hampton; 
Twelfth Judicial District, Geo. W. Ruddick, Waverly; Thirteenth 
Judicial District, Joseph R. Reed, Council Bluffs; Fourteenth Ju- 
dicial District, Ed. R. Duffie, Sac City. 

CIRCUIT COURTS, 1882. 

First Judicial Circuit, First District, William J. Jeffries, Mt. 
Pleasant; Second Judicial Circuit, First District, Charles Phelps, 



108 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Burlington; Second Judicial Circuit, H. C. Traverse, Bloomfield; 
Third Judicial Circuit, D. D. Gregory, Afton; Fourth Judicial 
Circuit, J. R. Zuver, Sioux City; First Judicial Circuit, Fifth 
District, Josiah Given, Des Moines; Second Judicial Circuit, 
Fifth District, Stephen A. Call vert, Adel; Sixth Judicial Circuit, 
W, R. Lewis, Montezuma; First Judicial Circuit, Seventh District, 
Charles W. Chase, Clinton; Second Judicial Circuit, Seventh Dis- 
trict, DeWitt C. Richman, Muscatine: Eighth Judicial Circuit, 
Christian Hedges, Marengo; Ninth Judicial Circuit, Benjamin W. 
Lacy, Dubuque; Tenth Judicial Circuit, Charles T. Granger, Wau- 
kon; Eleventh Judicial Circuit, D. D. Miracle, Webster City; 
Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Robert G. Reineger, Charles City; Thir- 
teenth Judicial Circuit, C. F. Loofbourrow, Atlantic; Fourteenth 
Judicial Circuit, John N. Weaver, Algona. 

CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION. 

UHITED STATES SENATORS. 

(The first General Assembly failed to elect Senators.) 
George W. Jones, Dubuque, Dec. 7, 1848-1858; Augustus C. 
Dodge, Burlington, Dec. 7,1848-1855; James Harlan, Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Jan. 6, 1855-1865; James W. Grimes, Burlington, Jan. 26, 
1858-died 1870; Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa City, elected Jan. 13, 
1866, to fill vacancy caused by resignation of James Harlan; James 
Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, March 4, 1866-1872; James B. Howell, 
Keokuk, elected Jan. 20, 1870, to fill vacancy caused by the death of 
J. W. Grimes — term expired March 3d; George G. Wright, Des 
Moines, March 4, 1871-1877; William B. Allison, Dubuque, 
March 4, 1872: Samuel J. Kirkwood, March 4, 1877; James W. 
MeDill, appointed to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of S. 
J. Kirkwood, in 1881, and elected Jan. 1882, to fill the unexpired 
term; James F. Wilson, elected Jan. 1882, for the full term, be- 
ginning March 4, 1883. 

MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 

Ticentij-nintJi Congress — 1846 to 1847. — S. Clinton Hastings; 
Shepherd Leffler. 

Thirtieth Congress— 1S4:7 to 1849.— First District, William 
Thompson; Second District, Shepherd Leffler. 

Thirty-first Congress — 1849 to 1851. — First District, First Ses- 
sion, Wm. Thompson; unseated by the House of Representatives 
on a contest, and election remanded to the people. First District, 
Second Session, Daniel F. Miller. Second District, Shepherd 
Leffler. 

Tliirtij-second Congress — 1851 to 1853. — First District, Bern- 
hart Henn. Second District, Lincoln Clark. 

Thirtij-tliird Congress — 1853 to 1855. — First District, Bernhart 
Henn. Second District, John P. Cook. 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 109 

Thirtij -fourth Conf/ress — 1855 to 1857. — First District, Augustus 
Hall. Second District, James Thorington. 

Thirti/-fifth Congress — 1857 to 1859. — First District, Samuel 
R. Curtis. Secoml District, Timothy Davis. 

Thirti/sixth Congress — 1859 to 1S61.— First District, Samuel 
R. Curtis. Second District, William Vandever. 

Thirty-seventh Congress— ISQl to 1863.— First District, First 
Session, Samuel R. Curtis.* First District, Second and Third Ses- 
sions, James F. Wilson. Second District, William Vandever. 

Thirtg-eighth Congress— 1S62 to 1865.— First District, James 
F. Wilson. Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William 
B. Allison; Fourth District, Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District, 
John A. Kasson; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard. 

Thirtg-ninth Congress— 1S65 to 1867.— First District, James 
F. Wilson; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William 
B.Allison; Fourth District, Josiah B. Grinnell, Fifth District, 
John A. Kasson; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard. 

Fortieth Congress— 1S61 to 1869.— First District, James F. 
Wilson; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. 
Allison; Fourth District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, 
Grenville M. Dodge; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard. 

Fortg-Jirst Congress— 1S69 to 1871.— First District, George W. 
McCrary; Second District, William Sm^^th; Third District, 
William B. Allison ; Fourth District, William Loughridge; Fifth 
District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth District, Charles Pomeroy. 

Forty-second Com/ress — 1871 to 1873. — First District, George 
W. McCrary; Second District. Aylett R.Cotton; Third District, 
W. G. Donnan; Fourih District, Madison M. Waldon; Fifth Dis- 
trict, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth District, Jackson Orr. 

Forty-third Congress — 1873 to 1875. — First District, George W. 
McCrary; Second District, Aylett R. Cotton; Third District, 
William G. Donnan; Fourth District, Henry 0. Pratt; Fifth Dis- 
trict, James Wilson; Sixth District, William Loughridge; Seventh 
District, John A. Kasson; Eighth District, James W. McDill; 
Ninth District, Jackson Orr. 

Forty-fourth Congress— 'i815 to 1877. — First District, George 
W. McCrary; Second District, John Q. Tufts; Third District, L. 
L. Ainsworth; Fourth District, Henry 0. Pratt; Fifth District, 
James Wilson; Sixth District, Ezekiel S. Sampson; Seventh Dis- 
trict, John A. Kasson; Eighth District, James W. McDill; Ninth 
District, Addison Oliver. 

Forty-fifth Congress— 1S77 to 1879.— First District, J. C. 
Stone; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, T. W. Bur- 
dick; Fourth District, H. C. Deering; Fifth District, Rush Clark; 
Sixth District, E. S. Sampson; Seventh District, H. J. B. Cum- 
mings; Eighth District, W. F. Sapp; Ninth District, A. Oliver. 

♦Vacated seat by acceptance of commission as Brigadier General, and J. F. Wilson 
chosen his successor. 



11) HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Fortij-sixth Congress. — 1879 to 1881. — First District, Moses A. 
McCoid; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, Tiiomas 
Updegraff ; Fourth District, Nathaniel C. Deering; Firth District, 
W. G. Thompson; Sixth District, James B. Weaver; Seventh Dis- 
tiict, Edward H. Gillette; Eighth District, William F. Sapp; 
Ninth District, Cyrus C. Carpenter. 

Forfjj-Seventh Congress — 1881 to 1883. — First District, Moses 
A. McCoid; Second District, Sewall S. Farwell; Third District, 
Thomas Updegraif; Fourth District, Nathaniel C. Deering; Fifth 
District, W. G. Thompson; Sixth District, Madison E. Cutts; 
Seventh District, John A. Kasson; Eighth District, William P. 
Hepburn; Ninth District, Cyrus C. Carpenter. 

WAR RECORD. 

The State of Iowa may well be proud of her record during the 
War of the Rebellion, from 1861 to 1865. The following brief 
but comprehensive sketch of the history she made during that try- 
ing period, is largely from the pen of Col. A. P. Wood, of Du- 
buque, the author of "The History of Iowa and the War," one of 
the best works of the kind yet written. 

"Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made 
on her by the General Government, in the courage and constancy 
of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with 
which her civil administration was conducted during the trying 
period covered by the War of tlie Rebellion, Iowa proved herself 
the peer of any loyal State. The proclamation of her Governor, 
responsive to that of the President, calling for volunteers to com- 
po^e her First Regiment, was issued on the fourth day after the 
fall of Sumter. At the end of only a single week, men enough 
were reported to be in quarters (mostly in the vicinity of their 
own homes) to fill the regiment. These, however, were hardly 
more than a tithe of the number who had been offered by com- 
pany commanders for acceptance under the President's call. So 
urgent were these offers that the Governor requested (on the 24th 
of April) permission to organize an additional regiment. While 
awaiting an answer to this request, he conditionally accepted a 
sufficient number of companies to compose two additional regi- 
ments. In a short time, he was notified that both of these would 
be accepted. Soon after the completion of the Second and Third 
Regiments (which was near the close of May), the Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the State reported that upwards of one hundred and seventy 
companies had been tendered to the Governor to serve against the 
enemies of the Union. 

"Much difficulty and considerable delay occurred in fitting theie 
regiments for the field. For the First Infantry a complete outdt 
(not uniform) of clothing was extemporized — principally by the 
volunteered labor of loyal ^women in the different towns — from 



HISTORY OF IOWA. Ill 

material of various colors and qualities, obtained within the limits 
of the State. The same was done in part for the Second Infantry. 
Meantime, an extra session of the General Assembly had been 
called by the Governor, to convene on the 15th of May. With 
but little delay, that body authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet 
the extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be incurred, by the 
Executive Department, in consequence of the new emergency. A 
wealthy merchant of the State (Ex-Governor Merrill, then a resi- 
dent of McGregor) immediately took from the Governor a con-. 
tract to supply a complete outfit of clothing for the three regi- 
ments organized, agreeing to receive, should the Governor so elect, 
his pay therefor in State bonds at par. This contract he executed 
to the letter, and a portion of the clothing (which was manufac- 
tured in Boston, to his order) was delivered at Keokuk, the place 
at which the troops had rendezvoused, in exactly one month from 
the day on which the contract had been entered into. The re-, 
mainder arrived only a few days later. This clothing was deliver- 
ed to the regiment, but was subsequently condemned by the Gov- 
ernment, for the reason that its color was gray, and blue had been 
adopted as the color to be worn by the national troops." 

Other States also clothed their troops^ sent forward under the 
first call of President Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it was soon 
found that the Confederate forces were also clothed in gray, and 
that color was at once abandoned by the Union troops. If both 
armies were clothed alike, aunoying if not fatal mistakes were 
liable to be made. 

But while engaged in these efforts to discharge her whole duty, 
in common with all the other Union-loving States in the great 
emergeucy, Iowa was compelled to make immediate and ample pro- 
vision for the protection of her own borders, from threatened inva- 
sion on the south by the Secessionists of Missouri, and from 
incursions from the west and northwest by bands of hostile Indians, 
who were freed from the usual restraint imposed upon them by 
the presence of regular troops stationed at the frontier posts. 
These troops were withdrawn to meet the greater and more press- 
ing danger threatening the life of the nation at its very heart. 

To provide for the adequate defense of her borders from the 
ravages of both rebels in arms against the Government, and of 
the more irresistible foes from the Western plains, the Governor 
of the State was authorized to raise and equip two regiments of 
infantry, a squadron of cavalry (not less than five companies) and 
a battalion of artillery (not less than three companies). Only 
cavalry were enlisted for home defense, however, '"but," says Col. 
Wood, " in times of special danger, or when calls were made by 
the Unionists of Northern Missouri for assistance against their 
disloyal enemies, large numbers of militia on foot often turned out, 
and remained in the field until the necessity for their services had 
passed. 



112 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

"" The first order for the Iowa volunteers to move to the field 
was received on the 13th of June. It was issued by Gen. Lyon, 
then commanding the United States forces in Missouri. The 
First and Second Infantry immediately embarked in steamboats, 
and moved to Hannibal. Some two weeks later, the Third In- 
fantry was ordered to the same point. These three, together with 
many other of the earlier organized Iowa regiments, rendered their 
first field service in Missouri. The First Infantry formed a part 
of the little army with which Gen. Lyon moved on Springfield, 
and fought the bloody battle of Wilson's Creek. It received un- 
qualified praise for its gallant bearing on the field. In the follow- 
ing month (September), the Third Iowa, with but very slight sup- 
port, fought with honor the sanguinary engagement of Blue 
Mills Landing; and in November, the Seventh Iowa, as a part of 
a force commanded by Gen. Grant, greatly distinguished itself in 
the battle of Belmont, where it poured out its blood like water- 
losing more than half of the men it took into action. 

" The initial operations in which the battles referred to took 
place, were followed by the more important movements led by 
Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and other commanders, 
which resulted in defeating the armies defending the chief 
strategic lines held by the Confederates in Kentucky, Tennessee, 
Missouri and Arkansas, and compelling their withdrawal from 
much of the territory previously controlled by them in those 
States. In these and other movements, down to the grand culmin- 
ating campaign by which Vicksburg was captured and the Con- 
federacy permanently severed on the line of the Mississippi River, 
Iowa troops took part in steadily increasing numbers. In the in- 
vestment and siege of Vicksburg, the State was represented by 
thirty regiment and two batteries, in addition to which, eight 
regiments and one battery were employed on the outposts of the 
besieging army. The brilliancy of their exploits on the many 
fields where they served, won for them the highest meed of praise, 
both in military and civil circles. Multipled were the terms in 
which expression was given to this sentiment, but these words of 
one of the journals of a neighboring State, 'The Iowa troops have 
been heroes among heroes,' embody the spirit of all. 

"In the veteran re-enlistments that distinguished the closing 
months of 1863, above all other periods in the history of re-enlist- 
ments for the national armies, the Iowa three years' men (who 
were relatively more numerous than those of any other State) 
were prompt to set the example of volunteering for another term 
of equal length, thereby adding many thousands to the great 
army of those who gave this renewed and practical assurance that 
the cause of the Union should not be left without defenders. 

''In all the important movements of 1864-65, by which the 
Confederacy was penetrated in every quarter, and its military power 
finally overthrown, the Iowa troops took part. Their drum-beat 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 113 

was heard on the banks of every great river of the South, from 
the Potomac to the Rio Grande, and everywhere they rendered 
the same faithful and devoted service, maintaining on all occasions 
their wonted reputation for valor in the field and endurance on the 
march. 

"Two Iowa three-year cavalry regiments were employed during 
the whole term of service in the operations that were in progress 
from 1863 to 1866 against the hostile Indians of the western 
plains, A portion of these men were among the last of the vol- 
unteer troops to be mustered out of service. The State also sup- 
plied a considerable number of men to the navy, who took part in 
most of the naval operations prosecuted against the Confederate 
power on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, and the rivers of the 
West. 

"The people of Iowa were early and constant workers in the san- 
itary field, and by their liberal gifts and personal efforts for the 
benefit of the soldiery, placed their State in front rank of those 
who became distinguished for their exhibition of patriotic benevo- 
lence during the period covered by the war. Agents appointed 
by the Governor were stationed at points convenient for rendering 
assistance to the sick and needy soldiers of the State, while others 
were employed in visiting, from time to time, hospitals, camps and 
armies in the field, and doing whatever the circumstances rendered 
possible for the health and comfort of such of the Iowa soldiers as 
might be found there. 

"Some of the benevolent people of the State early conceived the 
idea of establishing a Home for such of the children of deceased 
soldiers as might be left in destitute circumstances. This idea 
first took form in 1863, and in the following year a Home was 
opened at Farmington, Van Buren County, in a building leased 
for that purpose, and which soon became filled to its utmost ca- 
pacity. The institution received liberal donations from the gen- 
eral public, and also from the soldiers in the field. In 1865 it be- 
came necessary to provide increased accommodations for the large 
number of children who were seeking the benefits of its care. 
This was done by establishing a branch at Cedar Falls, in Black 
Hawk County, and by securing, during the same year, for the 
use of the parent Home, Camp Kinsman, near the city of Daven- 
port. This property was soon afterward donated to the institu- 
tion by act of Congress. 

"In 1866, in pursuance of a law enacted for that purpose, the 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home (which then contained about four hun- 
dred and fifty inmates) became a State institution, and thereafter 
th3 sums necessary for its support were appropriated from the 
State treasury. A second branch was established at Glenwood, 
Mills County. Convenient tracts were secured, and valuable im- 
provements made at the different points. Schools were also estab- 
lished, and employments provided for such of the children as were 



114 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

of suitable age. In all ways the provision made for these wards- 
of the State has been such as to challenge the approval of every 
benevolent mind. The number of children who have been in- 
mates of the Home from its foundation to the present time is con- 
siderably more than two thousand. 

"At the beginning of the war, the population of Iowa included 
about one hundred and fifty thousand men, presumably liable to 
render military service. The State raised, for general service, 
thirty-nine regiments of infantry; nine regiments of cavalry, and 
four companies of artillery, composed of three years' men; one 
regiment of Infantry, composed of three months' men; and four 
regiments and one battallion of infantry composed of one hundred 
days' men. The original enlistments in these various organiza- 
tions, including seventeen hundred and twenty-seven men raised 
by draft, numbered a little more than sixty-nine thousand. The 
re-enlistments, including upward of seven thousand veterans, 
numbered very nearly eight thousand. The enlistments in the 
regular army and navv, and organizations of other States, will, if 
added, raise the total to upward of eighty thousand. The number 
of men who, under special enlistments, and as militia, took part at 
different times in the operations on the exposed borders of the 
State, was probably as many as five thousand. 

"Iowa paid no bounty on account of the men she placed in the 
field. In some instances, toward the close of the war, bounty to a 
comparatively small amount was paid by cities and towns. On 
only one occasion — that of the call of July 18, 1861— was a draft 
made in Iowa. This did not occur on account of her proper liabil- 
ity, as established by previous rulings of the War Department, to 
supply men under that call, but grew out of the great necessity 
that there existed for raising men. The Government insisted on 
temporarily setting aside, in part, the former rule of settlements, 
and enforcing a draft in all cases where sub-districts in any of the 
States should be found deficient in their supply of men. In no 
instance was Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to the General 
Government for men, on a settlement of her quota accounts," 

It is to be said to the honor and credit of Iowa, that while many 
of the loyal States, older and larger in population and wealth, in- 
curred heavy State debts for the purpose of fulfilling their obli- 
gations to the General Government, Iowa, while she was foremost 
in duty, while she promptly discharged all her obligations to her 
sister States and the Union, found herself at the close of the war 
without any material addition to her pecuniary liabilities incurred 
before the war commenced. Upon final settlement after the res- 
toration of peace, her claims upon the Federal Government were 
found to be fully equal to the amount of her bonds issued and sold 
during the war to provide the means for raising and equipping her 
troops sent into the field, and to meet the inevitable demands upon 
her treasury in consequence of the war. 



HISTORY OF IOWA 



115 



STATEMENT showing the numher of men furnished and casualties in Iowa 
regiments during the War of the liehellion. 



Regiments. 



1 r-r >i CD '^ 



1st B:itteiv 

2d Battery 

3d Battery 

4th Battery 

1st Cavalry 

2d Cavalry 

3d Cavalry 

4th Cavalry 

5th Cavalry 

6th Cavalry 

7th Cavalry 

8th CavaliT 

9th Cavalry 

Sioux City Cavalry 

Co. A, 11th Penn. Cavalry. 

1st Infantry ,, 

2d Infantry 

3d Infantry 

2d and 3d Inf. Consolidated 

4th 1 nfantry 

5th Infantry 

6th Infantry 

7th Infantry 

8th Infantry 

9th Infantiy 

10th Infantry 

11th Infantry 

12th Infantry 

13th Infantry 

14th Infantiy 

14th Inf. Res. Batt 

15th Infantry 

16th Infantry 

17th Infantry 

18th Infantry 

19th Infantry 

20th Infantry 

21st Infantry 

22d Infantry 

23d Infantry 

24th Infantry 

25th Intantrv 

26th Infantry 

27th Infantry 

28th Infantry 

29th Infantiy 

30th Infantry 

31st Infantry 

32d Infantry 

33d Infantry 

34th Infantry 







0«<-i <n 


O C 

<1> 


o 3 




>3'^ 


c3 


ui^ f^ 


13 


o 




149 


124 


10 


123 


62 


2 


142 


79 


4 


152 


17 




1478 


543 


54 


1394 


602 


65 


1360 


770 


77 


1227 


590 


48 


1245 


452 


43 


1125 


193 


21 


562 


402 


40 


1234 


274 


33 


1178 


258 


15 


93 


7 




87 


5 


1 


959 


165 


17 


1247 


758 


72 


1074 


749 


80 




28 


18 


ii84 


973 


108 


1037 


699 


88 


1013 


855 


132 


1138 


885 


129 


1027 


761 


93 


1090 


973 


133 


1027 


739 


91 


1022 


610 


79 


981 


768 


62 


989 


852 


99 


840 


526 
11 


50 


1196 


1029 


130 


918 


819 


89 


950 


614 


61 


875 


449 


33 


985 


562 


86 


925 


359 


13 


980 


531 


66 


1108 


634 


105 


961 


670 


69 


959 


761 


111 


995 


564 


61 


919 


562 


69 


940 


530 


21 


956 


696 


76 


1005 


511 


36 


978 


646 


63 


977 


540 


27 


925 


589 


89 


985 


580 


62 


953 


561 


6 



51 

29 

33 

5 

187 

191 

224 

186 

127 

59 

92 

91 

162 

"4 

7 

107 

99 

9 

237 

90 
124 
135 
137 
208 
134 
148 
243 
182 
122 

i94 

217 
97 
109 
91 
130 
157 
126 
196 
197 
199 
204 
162 
180 
248 
233 
261 
203 
196 
228 



116 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Slatement of Numher of Men, Casualties, etc. — continued. 



Regiments. 



84th Consolidated 

35th Infantry 

36th Infantry 

37th Infantiy 

38th Infantry 

39th Infantry 

40th Infantry 

41st Infantiy 

44th Infantry 

45th Infantry 

46th Infantiy 

47th Infantry 

48th Infantry 

1st African Infantry 

Totals 



984" 
986 
914 
910 
933 
900 
294 
867 
912 
892 
884 
346 
903 



56,364 



o 



^72 
510 
619 
503 
431 
406 
361 

U| 

15 

22 

28' 

47 

4 

383 



30,394 



w5^ 



5 
42 
59 
3 
1 
54 
15 



3,139 



OQ 



13 

182 

226 

141 

310 

ll'J 

179 

2 

14 

17 

23 

45 

4 

331 



8,695 




HISTOKY OF IOWA. 117 



ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS. 



BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. 

Upon negotiable bills, and notes payable in this State, grace shall 
be allowed according to the law merchant. All the above men- 
tionea paper falling due on Sunday ,"New Year's Day, the Fourth 
of July, Christmas, or any day appointed or recommended by the 
President of the United States or the Governor of the State, as a 
day of fast or thanksgiving, shall be deemed as due on the day pre- 
vious. No defense can be made against a negotiable instrument 
(assigned before due) in the hands of the assignee without notice, 
except fraud was used in obtaining the same. To hold an indors- 
er, due diligence must be used by suit against the maker or his rep- 
resentative. Notes payable to persons named or to order, in order 
to absolutely transfer title, must be indorsed by the payee. Notes 
payable to bearer may be transferred by delivery, and when so pay- 
able, every indorser thereon is held as a guarantor of payment, un- 
less otherwise expressed. 

In computing interest or discount on negotiable instruments, a 
month shall be considered a calendar month or twelfth of a year, and 
for less than a month, a day shall be considered a thirtieth part of 
a month. Notes only bear interest when so expressed; but after 
due, they draw the legal interest, even if not stated. 

INTEREST. 

The legal rate of^interest is six per cent. Parties may agree, in 
writing, on a rate not exceeding ten per cent. If a rate of inter- 
est greater than ten per cent, is contracted for, it works a forfeit- 
ure of ten per cent, to the school fund, and only the principal sum 
can be recovered. 

DESCENT. 

The personal property of the deceased (except (1) that necessary 
for payment of debts and expenses of administration; (2) property 
set apart, to widow, as exempt from execution; (3) allowance by 
court, if necessary, of twelve month's support to widow, and to 
children under fifteen years of age), including life insurance, de- 
scends as does real estate. 

One-third in value (absolutely) of all estates in real property, 
possessed by husband at any time during marriage, which have not 



118 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

been sold on execution or other judicial sale, and to which the wife 
has made no relinquishment of her right, shall be set apart as her 
property, in fee simple, if she survive him. 

The same share shall be set apart to the surviving husband of a 
deceased wife. 

The widow's share cannot be affected by any will of her hus- 
band's, unless she consents, in writing thereto, within six months 
after notice to her of provisions of the will. 

The provisions of the statutes of descent apply alike to surviving 
husband or surviving wife. 

Subject to the above, the remaining estate of which the deced- 
ent died seized, shall in absence of other arrangements by will, de- 
scend; 

First. To his or her children and their descendants in equal 
parts; the descendants of the deceased child or grandchild taking 
the share of their deceased parents in equal shares among them. 

Second. Where there is no child, nor descendant of such child, 
and no widow or surviving husband, then to the parents of the 
deceased in equal parts; the surviving parent, if either be dead, tak- 
ing the whole; and if there is no parent living, then to the broth- 
ers and sisters of the intestate and their descendants, 

Third. When there is a widow or surviving husband, and no 
child or children, or descendants of the same, then one-half of the 
estate shall descend to such widow or surviving husband, absolutely; 
and the other half of the estate shall descend as in other cases 
where there is no widow or surviving husband, or child or children 
or descendants of the same. 

Fourth. If there is no child, parent, brother or sister, or des- 
cendants of either of them, then to wife of intestate, or to her heirs, 
if dead, according to like rules. 

Fifth. If any intestate leaves no child, parent, brother or sister 
or descendant of either of them, and no widow or surviving hus- 
band, and no child, parent, brother or sister (or descendant of 
either of them) of such widow or surviving husband, it shall escheat 
to the State. 

WILLS AND ESTATES OF DECEASED PERSONS. 

No exact form of words are necessary in order to make a will 
good at law. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years, 
and every female of the age of eighteen years, of sound mind and 
memory, can make a valid will; it must be in writing, signed by 
the testator, or by some one in his or her presence, and by his or 
her express direction, and attested by two or more competent wit- 
nesses. Care should be taken that the witnesses are not interested 
in the will. Inventory to be made by the executor or adminstrator 
within fifteen days from date of letters testamentary or of admin- 
istration. Executors' and administrators' compensation on amount 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 119 

of personal estate distributed, and for proceeds of sale of real es- 
tate, five per cent, for first one thousand dollars, two and one-half 
per cent, on overplus up to five thousand dollars, and one per cent, 
on overplus above five thousand dollars, with such additional allow- 
ance as shall be reasonable for extra services. 

Within ten daijs aftes the rec^^ipt of letters of administration, 
the executor or administrator shall give such notice of appointment 
as the court or clerk shall direct. 

Claims (other than preferred) must be ^\e^ within one year there- 
after, are forever barred, unless the claim is jyending in the District 
or Supreme Court, or unless peculiar circumstances entitle the claim- 
ant to equitable relief. 

Claims are classed and payable in the following order: 

1. Expenses of administration. 

2. Expenses of last sickness and funeral. 

;}. Allowance to widow and children, if made by the court. 

4. Debts preferred under laws of the United States. 

5. Public rates and taxes. 

6. Claim filed within six months after the first pnhlication of 
the notice given by the executors of their appointment. 

7. All other debts. 

8. Legacies. 

The awards or property which must be set apart to the widow in 
her own rigid, by the executor, includes all personal property which, 
in the hands of the deceased, as head of a family, would have been 
exempt from execution. 

TAXES. 

The owners of personal property, on the first day of January of 
each year, and the owners of real property on the first day of No- 
vember of each year, are liable fi»r the taxes thereon. 
The following property is exempt from taxation, viz.: 
1. The property of the United States and of this State, includ- 
ing university, agricultural college and school lands and all prop- 
erty leased to the State; property of a county, township, city, in- 
corporated town or school district when devoted entirely to the 
public use and not held for pecuniar}'^ profit; public grounds, in- 
cluding all places for the burial of the dead; fire engines and all 
implements for extinguishing fires, with the grounds used exclu- 
sively for their buildings and for the meetings of the fire compan- 
ies; all public libraries, grounds and buildings of literary, scientific, 
benevolent, agricultural and religious institutions, and societies de- 
voted solely to the appropriate objects of these institutions, not ex- 
ceeding 640 acres in extent, and not leased or otherwise used with 
a view of pecuniary profit; and all property leased to agricultural, 
charitable institutions and benevolent societies, and so devoted dur- 
ing the term of such lease; provided, that all deeds, by which such 



120 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

property is held, shall be duly filed for record before the property 
therein described shall be omitted from the assessment. 

2. The books, papers and apparatus belonging to the above in- 
stitutions; used solely for the pnrposes above contemplated, and the 
like property of students in any such institution, used for their ed- 
ucation. 

3. Money and credits belonging exclusively to such institutions 
and devoted solely to sustaining them, but not exceeding in amount 
or income the sum prescribed by their charter. 

4. Animals not hereafter specified, the wool shorn from sheep, 
belonging to the person giving the list, his farm produce harvested 
within one year previous to the listing; private libraries not exceed- 
ing three hundred dollars in value; family pictures, kitchen furni- 
ture, beds and bedding requisite for each family; all wearing ap- 
parel in actual use, and all food provided for the family; but no 
person from whom a compensation for board or lodging is received 
or expected, is to be considered a member of the family within the 
intent of this clause. 

5. The polls or estates or both of persons Avho, by reason of age 
or infirmity, may, in the opinion of the Assessor, be unable to con- 
tribute to the public revenue; such opinion and the fact upon which 
it is based being in all cases reported to the Board of Equalization 
by the Assessor or any other person, and subject to reversal by 
them. 

6. The farming utensils of any person who makes his livelihood 
by farming^ and the tools of any mechanic, not in either case to ex- 
ceed three hundred dollars in value. 

7. Grovernment lands entered or located, or lands purchased from 
this State, should not be taxed for the year in which the entry, lo- 
cation or purchase is made. 

There is also a suitable exemption, in amount, for planting fruit 
trees or forest trees or hedges. 

Where buildings are destroyed by fire, tornado, or other unavoid- 
able casualty, after being assessed for the year, the Board of Super- 
visors may rebate taxes for that year on the property destroyed, if 
same has not been sold for taxes, and if said taxes have not been delin- 
quentfor thirty days at the time of destruction of property, and the 
rebate shall be allowed for such loss only as is not covered by insur- 
ance. 

All other property is subject to taxation. Every inhabitant of 
full age and sound mind shall assist the Assessor in listing all tax- 
able property of which he is the owner, or which he controls or man- 
ages, either as agent, guardian, father, husband, trustee, executor, 
accounting officer, partner, mortgagor or lessor, mortgagee or 
lessee. 

Road beds of railway corporations shall not be assessed to owners 
of adjacent property, but shall be considered the property of the 
companies for purposes of taxation; nor shall real estate used as a 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 121 

public highway be assessed and taxed as part of adjacent lands 
whence the same was taken for such public purpose. 

The property of railway, telegraph and express companies shall 
be listed and assessed for taxation as the property of an individual 
Avould be listed and assessed for taxation. Collection of taxes made 
as in the case of an individual. 

The Township Board of Equalization shall meet first Monday in 
April of each year. Appeal lies to the Circuit Court. 

The County Board of Equalization (the Board of Supervisors) 
meet at their regular session in June of each year. Appeal lies to 
the Circuit Court. 

Taxes become delinquent February 1st of each year, payable 
without interest or penalty, at any time before March 1st of each 
year. 

Tax sale is held on first Monday in October of each year. 

Redemption may be made at any time within three years after 
date of sale, by paying to the County Auditor the amount of sale, 
and twenty per centum of such amount immediately added as pen- 
altij u'ith ten per cent, interest i)er annum on the whole amount 
thus made from the day of sale, and also subsequent taxes, interest 
and costs paid by purchaser after March 1st of each year, and a sim- 
ilar penaltij of twenty per centum added as before, with ten per 
cent, interest as before. 

If notice has been given, by purchaser, of the date at which the 
redemption is limited, the cost of same is added to the redemption 
money. Ninety days notice is required, by the statute, to be pub- 
lished by the purchaser or holder of certificate, to terminate the 
right of redemption. 

JURISDICTION OF COURTS. 

DISTRICT COURTS 

have jurisdiction, general and original, both civil and criminal, ex- 
cept in such cases where Circuit Courts have exclusive jurisdiction. 
District Courts have exclusive supervision over courts of Justices 
of the Peace and Magistrates, in criminal matters, on appeal and 
writs of error. 

CIRCUIT COURTS 

have jurisdiction, general and original, with the District Courts, 
in all civil actions and special proceedings, and exclusive jurisdic- 
tion in all appeals and writs of error from inferior courts, in civil 
matters. And exclusive jurisdiction in matters of estates and 
general probate business. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 

have jurisdiction in civil matters where §100 or less is involved. 
By consent of parties, the jurisdiction may be extended to an 



122 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

amount not exceeding $300. They have jurisdiction to try and 
determine all public offense less than felony, committed within 
their respective counties, in which the jine^ by law, does not ex- 
ceed $100 or the imprisonment thirty days. 

LIMITATION OF ACTIONS. 

Action for injuries to the person or reputation; for a statute 
penalty, and to enforce a mechanics' lien, must be brought in two 
(2) years. 

Those against a public officer within three (3) years. 

Those founded on unwritten contracts; for injuries to property; 
for relief on the ground of fraud; and all other actions not other- 
wise provided for, within five (5) years. 

Those founded on written contracts; on judgments of any court 
(except those provided for in next section), and for the recovery of 
real property, within ten (10) years. 

Those founded on judgment of any court of record in the 
United States, within twenty (20) years. 

All above limits, except those for penalties and forfeitures, are 
extended in favor of minors and insane persons, until one year 
after the disability is removed — time during which defendant is a 
non-resident of the State shall not be included in computing any 
of the above periods. 

Actions for the recovery of real property, sold for non-payment 
of taxes, must be brought within five years after the Treasurer's 
Deed is executed and recorded, except where a minor or convict or 
insane person is the owner, and they shall be allowed five years 
after disability is removed, in which to bring action. 

JURORS. 

All qualified electors of tho State, of good moral character, 
sound judgment, and in full possession of the senses of hearing 
and seeing, are competent jurors in their respective counties. 

United States officers, practicing attorneys, physicians and 
clergymen, acting professors or teachers in institutions of learning 
and persons disabled by bodily infirmity or over sixty-five years of 
age, are exempt from liability to act as jurors. 

Any person may be excused from serving on a jury when his 
own interests or the public's will be materially injured by his at- 
tendance, or when the state of his health, or the death, or sick- 
ness of his family requires his absence. 

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT 

was restored by the Seventeenth General Assembly, making it 
optional with the jury to inflict it or not. 



HISTORY OF lOWi. 123 

A MARRIED WOMAN 

may convey or incumber real estate, or interest therein, belonging 
to her; may control the same or contract with reference thereto, 
as other persons may convey, incumber, control or contract. 

She may own, acquire, hold, convey and devise property^ as her 
husband may. 

Her husband is not liable for civil injuries committed by her. 

She may convey property to her husband, and he may convey 
to her. 

She may constitute her husband her attorney in fact. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM EXECUTION. 

A resident of the State and head of a family may hold the fol- 
lowing property exempt from execution: All wearing apparel of 
himself and family kept for actual use and suitable to the condi- 
tion, and the trunks or other receptacles necessary to contain the 
same, one musket or rifle and shot-gun; all private libraries, 
family Bibles, portraits, pictures, musical instruments, and paint- 
ings not kept for the purpose of sale; a seat or pew occupied by 
the debtor or his family in any house of public worship; an inter- 
est in a public or private burying ground not exceeding one acre; 
two cows and a calf; one horse, unless a horse is exempt as herein- 
after provided; fifty sheep and the wool therefrom, and the ma- 
terials manufactured from said wool; six stands of bees; five hogs 
and all pigs under six months; the necessary food for exempted 
animals for six months; all flax raised from one acre of ground, 
and manufactures therefrom ; one bedstead and necessary bedding 
for every two in the family; all cloth manufactured by the de- 
fendant not exceeding one hundred yards: household and kitchen 
furniture not exceeding $200 in value; all spinning wheels and 
looms; one sewing machine and other insti'uments of domestic 
labor kept for actual use; the necessary provisions and fuel for 
the use of the family for six months; the proper tools, instru- 
ments, or books of the debtor, if a farmer, mechanic, surveyor, 
clergyman, lawj'er, physician, teacher or professor; the horse or 
the team, consisting of not more than two horses or mules, or two 
yokes of cattle, and the wagon or other vehicle, with the proper 
harness or tackle, by the use of which the debtor, if a physician, 
public officer, farmer, teamster or other laborer, habitually earns 
his living; and to the debtor, if a printer, there shall also be ex- 
empt a printing press and the types, furniture and material neces- 
sary for the use of such printing press, and a newspaper office to 
the value of twelve hundred dollars: the earnings of such debtor, 
or those of his family, at any time within ninety days next pre- 
ceding the levy. 

Persons unmarried and not the head of a family, and non- 
residents, have exempt their own ordinary wearing apparel and 
trunks to contain the same. 



124: HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

There is also exempt, to a head of a famil}', a homestead, not 
exceeding forty acres; or, if inside city limits, one-half acre with 
improvements, value not limited. The homestead is liable for all 
debts contractel prior to its acquisition as such, and is subject to 
mechanics' lien for work or material furnished for the same. 

An article, otherwise exempt, is liable, on execution, for the pur- 
chase money thereof. 

Where a debtor, if a head of a family, has started to leave the 
State, he shall have exempt only the ordinary wearing apparel of 
himself and family, and other property in addition, as he may se- 
lect, in all not exceeding seventy-hve dollars in value. 

A policy of life insurance shall inure to the separate use of the 
husband or wife and children, entirely independent of his or her 
creditors. 

ESTRAYS. 

An unbroken animal shall not be taken up as an estray between 
May 1st and November 1st, of each year, unless the same be found 
within the lawful enclosure of a householder w^ho alone can take 
up such animal, unless some other person gives him notice of the 
fact of such animal coming on his place; and if he fails, within 
five days thereafter, to take up such estray, any other householder 
of the township may take up such estray and proceed with it as if 
taken on his own premises, provided he shall prove to the Justice 
of the Peace such notice, and shall make affidavit where such estray 
was taken up. 

Any swine, sheep, goat, horse, neat cattle or other animal dis- 
trained (for damage done to one's enclosure), when the owner is 
not known, shall be treated as an estray. 

Within five days after taking up an estray, notice, containing a 
full description thereof, shall be posted up in three of the most 
public places in the township; and in ten days, the person taking 
up such estray shall go before a Justice of the Peace in the town- 
ship and make oath as to Avhere such estray was taken up, and that 
the marks or brands have not been altered, to his knowledge. The 
estray shall then be appraised, by order of the Justice, and the ap- 
praisment, description of the size, age, color, sex, marks and brands 
of the estray shall be entered by the Justice in a book kept for that 
purpose, and he shall, within ten days thereafter, send a certified 
copy thereof to the County Auditor. 

When the appraised value of an estray does not exceed five dol- 
lars, the Justice need not proceed further than to enter the descrip- 
tion of the estray on his book, and if no owner appears within six 
months, the property shall vest in the finder, if he has complied 
with the law and paid all costs. 

Where appraised value of estray exceeds five and is less than ten 
dollars, if no owner appears in nine months, the finder has the 
property, if he has complied with the law and paid costs. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 125 

An estray, legally taken up, may be used or worked with care 
and moderation. 

If any person unlawfully take up an estray, or take up an estray 
and fail to comply with the law regarding estrays, or use or work 
it contrary to above, or work it before having it appraised, or keep 
such estray out of the county more than five days at one time, be- 
fore acquiring ownership, such offender shall forfeit to the county 
twenty dollars, and the owner may recover double damages <vith 
costs. 

If the owner of any estate fail to claim and prove his title for one 
year after the taking up, and the finder shall have complied with 
the law, a complete title vests in the finder. 

But if the owner appear within eighteen months from the tak- 
ing up, prove his ownership and pay all costs and expenses, the 
finder shall pay him the appraised value of such estray, or may, at 
his option, deliver up the estray. 

WOLF SCALPS. 

A bounty of one dollar is paid for wolf scalps. 

MARKS AND BRANDS. 

Any person may adopt his own mark or brand for his domestic 
animals, and have a description thereof recorded by the Township 
Clerk. 

No person shall adopt the recorded mark or brand of any other 
person residing in his township. 

DAMAGES FROM TRESPASS. 

When any person's lands are enclosed by a hue fid fence, the 
owner of any domestic animal injuring said lands is liable for the 
damages, and the damages may be recovered by suit against the 
owner, or may be made by distraining the animals doing the dam- 
age; and if the party injured elects to recover by action against the 
owner, no appraisement need be made by the Trustees, as in case of 
distraint. 

When trespassing animals are distrained, within twenty-four 
hours, Sunday not included, the party injured shall notify the own- 
er of said animals, if known; and if the owner fails to satisf}^ the 
party within twenty-four hours thereafter, the party shall have the 
township Trustees assess the damage, and notice shall be posted 
up in three conspicuous places in the township, that the stock or part 
thereof, shall, on the tenth daij after j^osting the notice, between the 
hours of 1 and 3 P. M., be sold to the highest bidder, to satisf}' 
said damages, with costs. 

Appeal lies, within twenty days, from the action of the Trustees, 
to the Circuit" Court. 



126 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Where stock is retained, by police regulation, or by law. from 
running at large, any person injured in his improved or cultivated 
lands by any domestic animal, may, by action against the owner 
of such animal, or by distraining such animal, recover his damages, 
whether the lands whereon the injury was done were inclosed by 
a lawful fence or not. 

FENCES. 

A lawful fence is fifty-four inches high, made of rails, wire or 
boards, with posts not more than ten feet apart where rails are 
used, and eight feet where boards are used; substantially built and 
kept in good repair; or any other fence which, in the opinion of the 
Fence Viewers, shall be declared a lawful fence — provided the low- 
er rail, wire or board be not more than twenty nor less than sixteen 
inches from the ground. 

The respective owners of lands enclosed with fences shall main- 
tain partition fences between their own and next adjoining enclos- 
ure so long as they improve them in equal shares, unless otherwise 
agreed between them. 

If any party neglect to maintain such partition fence as he should 
maintain, the Fence Viewers (the township Trustees), upoj cam- 
plaint of aggrieved party, may, upon due notioe to both parties, ex- 
amine the fence, and, if found insufficient, notify the delinquent 
party, in writing, to repair or re-build the same within such time 
as they judge reasonable. 

If the fence be not repaired or rebuilt accordingly, the complain- 
ant may do so, and the same being adjudged sufficient by the Fence 
Viewers, and the value thereof, with their fees, being ascertained 
and certified under their hands, the complainant may demand of 
the delinquent the sum so ascertained, and if the same be not paid 
in one month after demand, may recover it with one per cent a 
month interest, by action. 

In case of disputes, the Fence Viewers may decide as to who 
shall erect or maintain partition fences, and in what time the same 
shall be done; and in case any party neglect to maintain or erect 
such part as may be assigned to him, the aggrieved party may erect 
and maintain the same, and recover double damages. 

No person, not wishing his land inclosed, and not using it oth- 
erwise than in common, shall be compelled to maintain any parti- 
tion fence; but when he uses or incloses his land otherwise than 
in common, he shall contribute to the partition fences. 

Where parties have had their lands inclosed in common, and one 
of the owners desires to occupy his separate and apart from the 
other, and the other refuses to divide the line or build a sufficient 
fence on the line when divided, the Fence Fiewers may divide and 
assign, and upon neglect of the other to build as ordered by the 
Viewers, the one may build the other's part and recover as above. 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 127 

And when one incloses land which has lain uninclosed, he must 
pay for one-half of each partition fence between himself and his 
neighbors. 

Where one desires to lay not less than twenty feet of his lands, 
adjoining his neighbor, out to the public to be used in common, he 
must give his neighbor six months' notice thereof. 

Where a fence has been built on the land of another through 
mistake, the owner may enter upon such premises and remove his 
fence and material within six months after the division line has 
been ascertained. Where the material to build such a fence has 
been taken from the land on which it was built, then, before it can 
be removed, the person claiming must first pay for such material to 
the owner of the land from which it was taken, nor shall such a 
fence be removed at a time when the removal will throw open or 
expose the crops of the other party; a reasonable time must be 
given beyond the six months to remove crops. 

MECHANICS' LIENS. 

Every mechanic, or other person who shall do any labor upon, 
or furnish any materials, machinery or fixtures for any building, 
erection or other improvement upon land, including those engaged 
in the construction or repair of any work of internal improvement, 
by virtue of any contract with the owner, his agent, trustee, con- 
tractor, or sub-contractor, shall have a lien, on complying with the 
forms of law, upon the building or other improvement for his labor 
done or materials furnished. 

It would take too large a space to detail the manner in which a 
sub-contractor secures his lien. He should file, within thirty days 
after the last of the labor was performed, or the last of the mate- 
rial shall have been furnished, with the Clerk of the District Court 
a true account of the amount due him, after allowing all credits, 
setting fort the time when such material was furnished or labor 
performed, and when completed, and containing a correct descrip- 
tion of the property sought to be charged with the lien, and the 
whole verified by affidavit. 

A principal contractor must file such an affidavit within ninety 
days, as above. 

Ordinarily, there are so many points to be examined in order to 
secure a mechanics' lien, that it is much better, unless one is ac- 
customed to managing such liens, to consult at once with an at- 
torney. 

Remember that the proper time to file the claim is ninety days 
for a principal contractor, thirty days for a sub-contractor, as 
above; and that actions to enforce these liens must be commenced 
within two years, and the rest can much better better be done with 
an attorney. 



128 mSTOKY OF IOWA. 

ROADS AND BRIDGES. 

Persous meeting each other on the public highways, shall give 
one-half of the same by turning to the right. All persons failing 
to observe this rule shall be liable to pay all damages resulting 
therefrom, together with a fine, not exceeding five dollars. 

The prosecution must be instituted on the complaint of the per- 
son wronged. 

Any person guilty of racing horses, or driving upon the public 
highway, in a manner likely to endanger the persons or the lives 
of others, shall, on conviction, be fined not exceeding one hundred 
dollars or imprisoned not exceeding thirty days. 

It is a misdemeanor, without authority from the proper Road 
Supervisor, to break upon, plow or dig within the boundary lines of 
any public highway. 

The money tax levied upon the property in each road district in 
each township (except the general Township Fund, set apart for 
purchasing tools, machinery and guide boards), whether collected 
by the Road Supervisor or County Treasurer, shall be expended for 
highway purposes in that district, and no part thereof shall be paid 
out or expended for the benefit of another district. 

The Road Supervisor of each district, is bound to keep the roads 
and bridges therein, in as good condition as the funds at his dis- 
posal will permit; to put guide boards at cross roads and forks of 
highways in his district; and when notified in writing that any 
portion of the public highway, or any bridge is unsafe, must in a 
reasonable time repair the same, and for this purpose may call out 
any or all the able bodied men in the district, but not more than 
two days at one time, without their consent. 

Also, when notified in writing, of the growth of any Canada 
thistles upon vacant or non-resident lands or lots, within his dis- 
trict, the owner, lessee or agent thereof being unknown, shall cause 
the same to be destroyed. 

Bridges when erected or maintained by the public, are parts of 
the highway, and must not be less than sixteen feet wide. 

A penalty is miposed upon any one who rides *or drives faster 
than a walk across any such bridge. 

The manner of establishing, vacating Or altermg roads, etc., is so 
well known to all township officers, that it is suflicient here to say 
that the first step is by petition, filed in the Auditor's office, ad- 
dressed in substance as follows: 

The Board of Supervisors of County : The undersigned 

asks that a highway, commencing at and running thence 

and terminating at , be established, vacated or al- 
tered (as the case may be). 

When the petition is filed, all necessary and succeeding steps will 
be shown and explained to the petitioners by the Auditor. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 129 

ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. 

Any person competent to make a will can adopt as his own the 
minor child of another. The consent of both parents, if living 
and not divorced or separated, and if divorced or separated, or if 
unmarried, the consent of the parent lawfully having the custody 
of the child; or if either parent is dead, then the consent of the 
survivor, or if both parents be dead, or the child have been and 
remain abandoned by them, then the consent of the Mayor of the 
city where the child is living,or if not in the city, then of the Clerk 
of the Circuit Court of the county shall be given to such adoption 
by an instrument in writing, signed by the party or parties consent- 
ing, and stating the names of the parties, if known, the name of the 
child, if known, the name of the person adopting such child, and 
the residence of all, if known, and declaring the name by which 
the child is hereafter to be called and known, and stating, also, that 
such child is given to the person adopting, for the purpose^of 
adoption as his own child. 

The person adopting shall also sign said instrument, and all the 
parties shall acknowledge the same in the manner that deeds con- 
veying lands shall be acknowledged. 

The instrument shall be recorded in the office of the County 
Recorder. 

SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS. 

There is in every county elected a Surveyor known as County 
Surveyor, who has power to appoint deputies, for whose official 
acts he is responsible. It is the duty of the County Surveyor, 
either by himself or his Deputy, to make all surveys that he may 
be called upon to make within his county as soon as may be after 
application is made. The necessary chainmen and other assistance 
must be employed by the person requiring the same to be done, 
and. to be by him paid, unless otherwise agreed: but the chainmen 
must be disinterested persons and approved by the Surveyor and 
sworn by him to measure justly and impartially. Previous to any 
survey, he shall furnish himself with a copy of the field notes of 
the original survey of the same land, if there be any in the office 
of the County Auditor, and his survey shall be made in accord- 
ance therewith. 

Their fees are three dollars per day. For certified copies of field 
notes, twenty-five cents. 

SUPPORT OF POOR. 

The father, mother and children of any poor person who has 
applied for aid, and who is unable to maintain himself by work, 
shall, jointly or severally, maintain such poor person in such man- 
ner as may be approved by the Township Trustees. 



130 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

In the absence or inability of nearer relatives, the same liability 
shall extend to the grandparents, if of ability without personal 
labor, and to the male grandchildren who are of ability, by personal 
labor or otherwise. 

The Township Trustees may, upon the failure of such relative 
to maintain a poor person, who has made application for relief, 
apply to the Circuit Court for an order to compel the same. 

Upon ten days' notice, in writing, to the parties sought to be 
charged, a hearing may be had, and an order made for entire or 
partial support of the poor person. 

Appeal may be taken from such judgment as from other judg- 
ments of the Circuit Court. 

When any person, having any estate, abandons either children, 
wife or husband, leaving them chargeable, or likely to become 
chargeable, upon the public for support, upon proof of above fact, 
an order may be had from the Clerk of the Circuit Court, or Judge, 
authorizing the Trustees or the Sheriff to take into possession such 
estate. 

The Court may direct such personal estate to be sold, to be ap- 
plied, as well as the rents and profits of the real estate, if any, to 
the support of children, wife or husband. 

If the party against Avhom the order is issued return and sup- 
port the person abandoned, or give security for the same, the order 
shall be discharged, and the property taken returned. 

The mode of relief for the poor, through the action of the 
Township Trustees, or the action of the Board of Supervisors, is 
so well known to every township officer, and the circumstances 
attending application for relief are so varied, that it need now only 
be said that it is the duty of each county to provide for its poor, 
no matter at what place they may be. 

LANDLORD AND TENANT. 

A tenant giving notice to quit demised premises at a time named, 
and afterward holding over, and a tenant or his assignee willfully 
holding over the premises after the terra, and after notice to quit, 
shall pay double rent. 

Any person in possession of real property, with the assent of 
the owner, is presumed to be a tenant at will until the contrary is 
shown. 

Thirty days' notice, in writing, is necessary to be given by either 
party before he can terminate a tenancy at will; but when, in any 
case, a rent is reserved payable at intervals of less than thirty 
days, the length of notice need not be greater than such interval 
between the days of payment. In case of tenants occupying and 
cultivating farms, the notice must fix the termination of the 
tenancy to take place on the 1st day of March, except in cases of 
field tenants or croppers, whose leases shall be held to expire when 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 131 

the crop is harvested; provided, that in case of a crop of corn, it 
shall not be later than the 1st day of December, unless otherwise 
agreed upon. But when an express agreement is made, whether 
the same has been reduced to writing or not, the tenancy shall 
cease at the time agreed upon, without notice. 

If such tenant cannot be found in the county, the notices above 
required may be given to any sub-tenanbor other person in posses- 
sion of the premises; or, if the premises be vacant, by affixing the 
notice to the principal door of the building or in some conspicuous 
position on the land, if there be no building. 

The landlord shall have a lien for his rent upon all the crops 
grown on the premises, and upon any other personal property of 
the tenant used on the premises during the term, and not exempt 
from execution, for the period of one yepr after a year's rent or 
the rent of a shorter period claimed falls due; but such lien shall 
not continue more than six months after the expiration of the 
term. 

The lien may be effected by the commencement of an action, 
within the period above described, for the rent alone; d 
the landlord is entitled to a writ of attachment, upon filing 
an affidavit that the action is commenced to recover rent accrued 
within one year previous thereto upon the premises described in 
the affidavit. 

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, 
or sold or delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be 
made to the contrary, the weight per bushel shall be as follows, 
to- wit : 

Apples, Peaches or Quinces 48 Sand 130 

Cherries, Grapes, Currants or Goose- Sorghum Seed 30 

berries 40 Broom Corn Seed 30 

Strawberries, Raspberries or Black- Buckwheat 52 

berries 32 Salt 50 

Osage Orange Seed 32 Barley 48 

Millet Seed 45 Com Meal 48 

Stone Coal 80 Castor Beans 46 

Lime 80 Timothy Seed 45 

Corn in the ear 70 Hemp Seed 44 

Wheat 60 Dried Peaches 33 

Potatoes 60 Oats 33 

Beans 60 Dried Apples 24 

Clover Seed 60 Bran 20 

Onions 57 Blue Grass Seed 14 

Shelled Com 56 Hungarian Grass Seed 45 

Rye 56 Flax Seed 56 

Sweet Potatoes 46 

Penalty for giving less than above standard is treble damages 
and costs and five dollars addition thereto as a fine. 



132 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

DEFINITION OF COMMERCIAL TERMS. 

$ means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was for- 
merly placed before any denomination of money, and meant, as it 
means now. United States Currency. 

£ means pounds, English money. 

@ stands for atoY to; ib lor jmnnds, and bbl. for barrels; "^ for 
per or hj the. Thus, Butter sells at 20@30c ^ ft), and Flour at 
|8@$12 "f bbl. 

May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@|1.25, "seller June." _ Seller June 
means that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of de- 
livering it at any time during the month of June. 

Selling short, is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain 
or stock, at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the 
seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest of the per- 
son selling "short'' to depress the market as much as possible, in 
order that he may buy and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the 
"shorts" are termed "bears." 

Buying long, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain 
or shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated 
time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices. The "longs" 
are termed "bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate" so as to 
"toss" the prices upward as much as possible. 

NOTES. 

Form of note is legal, worded in the simplest way, so that the 
amount and time of payment are mentioned: 

$100. Chicago, 111., Sept. 15, 1876. 

Sixty days from date I promise to pay to E. F. Brown or order, 
one hundred dollars, for value received. L. D. Lowky. 

A note to be jDayable in anything else than money needs only 
the facts substituted for money in the above form. 

ORDERS. 

Orders should be worded simply, thus: 
Mr. F. H. Coats: Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876. 

Please pay to H. Birdsall twenty-five dollars, and charge to 

F. D. SiLVA. 

RECEIPTS. 

Receipts should always state when received and what for, thus: 
$100. Chicago, Sept. 15, 1876. 

Received of J. W. Davis, one hundred dollars, for ser- 
vices rendered in grading his lot in Fort Madison, on account. 

Thomas Brady. 
If receipt is in full, it should be so stated. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 133 

BILLS OF PURCHASE. 

W. N. Mason, Salem, Illinois, Sept. 18, 1870. 

Bought of A. A. Graham. 

4 Bushels of Seed Wheat at $1.50 ^6 00 

2 seamless Sacks '' 30 60 



Received .payment, $0 60 

A. A. Graham. 

CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. 

-, Iowa, , 18 — . 



after date — promises to pay to the order of 



dollars, at , for value received, with interest at ten per cent. 

per annum after until paid. Interest payable , and on 

interest not paid when due, interest at same rate and conditions. 

A failure to pay said interest, or any part thereof, within 20 days after due, 
shall cause the whole note to become due and collectible at once. 

If this note is sued, or judgment is confessed hereon, $ shall be allowed 

as attorney fees. 

No. — . P. 0. , . 

CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. 

■ — vs. — . In Court of County, Iowa, , of 

County, Iowa, do hereby confess that j'^^stly indebted 



to , in the sum of dollars, and the further sum of 

$ a§ attorney fees, with interest thereon at ten per cent, from 

, and — hereby confess judgment against as defend- 
ant in favor of said , for said sum of $ , and § as 

attorney fees, hereby authorizing the Clerk of the Court of 

said county to enter up judgment for said sum against with 

costs, and interest at 10 per cent, from , the interest to be 

paid . 

Said debt and judgment being for , 

It is especially agreed, however. That if this judgment is paid 
within twenty days after due, no attorney fees need be paid. And 

hereby sell, convey and release all right of homestead we now 

occupy in favor of said ■ so far as this judgment is concerned, 

and agree that it shall be liable on execution for this judgment. 

Dated , 18 — . 



The State of Iowa, ) 
County. ) 



being duly sworn according to law, depose and say that 

the foregoing statement and Confession of Judgment was read 
over to , and that — understood the contents thereof, and 



134 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

that the statements contained therein are true, and that the sums 
therein mentioned are justly to become due said as afore- 
said. 



Sworn to and subscribed before me and in may presence by the 

said this day of , 18—. 

■ — , Notary Public. 

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT. 

An agreement is where one party promises to another to do a 
certain thing in a certain time for a stipulated sum. Good busi- 
ness men always reduce an agreement to writing, which nearly 
always saves misunderstandings and trouble. No particular form 
is necessary, but the facts must be clearly and explicitly stated, 
and there must, to make it valid, be a reasonable consideration. 

GENERAL FORM OF AGREEMENT. 

This' Agreement, made the second day of June, 1878, between 
John Jones, of Keokuk, County of Lee, State of Iowa, of the first 
part, and Thomas Whiteside, of the same place, of the second 
part — 

WITNESSETH, That the said John Jones, in consideration of the 
agreement of the party of the second part, hereinafter contained, 
contracts and agrees to and with the said Thomas Whiteside, that 
he will deliver in good and marketable condition, at the Village 
of Melrose, Iowa, during the month of November, of this year; 
One Hundred Tons of Prairie Hay, in the following lots,* and at 
the following specified terms; namely, twenty-five tons by the 
seventh of November, twenty-five tons additional by the four- 
teenth of the month, twenty-five tons more by the twenty-first, 
and the entire one hundred tons to be all delivered by the thirtieth 
of November. 

And the said Thomas Whiteside, iu consideration of the prompt 
fulfillment of this contract, on the part of the party of the first 
part, contracts to and agrees with the said John Jones, to pay for 
said hay five dollars per ton, for each ton as soon as delivered. 

In case of failure of agreement by either of the parties hereto, 
it is hereby stipulated and agreed that the party so failing shall 
pay to the other One Hundred dollars, as fixed and settled damages. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands the day 
and year first above written. John Jones, 

Thomas Whiteside. 

agreement with clerk for services. 

This Agreement, made the first day of May, one thousand 
eight hundred and seventy-eight, between Reuben Stone, of Du- 
buque, County of Dubuque, State of Iowa, party of the first part, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 135 

and Gaorge Barclay, of McGregor, County of Clayton, State of 
Iowa, party of the second part— 

WITNESSETH, that said George Barclay agrees faithfully and 
diligently to work as clerk and salesman for the said Reuben 
Stone, for and during the space of one year from the date thereof, 
should both live such length of time, without absenting himself 
from his occupation; during which time he, the said Barclay, in 
the store of said Stone, of Dubuque, will carefully and honestly 
attend, doing and performing all duties as clerk and salesman 
aforesaid, in accordance and in all respects as directed and desired 
by the said Stone. 

In consideration of which services, so to be rendered by the 
said Barclay, the said Stone agrees to pay to said Barclay the 
annual sum of one thousand dollars, payable in twelve equal 
monthly payments, each upon the last day of each month; pro- 
vided that all dues for days of absence from business by said Bar- 
clay, shall be deducted from the sum otherwise by the agreement 
due and payable by the said Stone to the said Barclay. 

Witness our hands, Reubens' Ston^e. 

George Barclay. 

BILLS OF SALE. 

A bill of sale is a written agreement to another party, for a 
consideration to convey his right and interest in the personal pro- 
perty. The purchaser must take actual possession of the property^ 
or the bill of sale must he acknoivledged and recorded. 

COMMON" FORM OF BILL OF SALE. 

Kn"OW ALL Men by this instrument, that I, Louis Clay, of 
Burlington, Iowa, of the first part, for and in consideration of 
Five Hundred and Ten Dollars, to me paid by John Floyd, of the 
same place, of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby 
acknowledged, have sold, and by this instrument do convey unto 
the said Floyd, party of the second part, his executors, adminis- 
trators and assigns, my undivided half of ten acres of corn, now 
growing on the farm of Thomas Tyrell, in the town above men- 
tioned; one pair of horses; sixteen sheep, and five cows, belonging 
to me and in my possession at the farm aforesaid; to have and to 
hold the same unto the party of the second part, his executors and 
assigns forever. And I do, for myself and legal representatives, 
agree with the said party of the second part, and his legal repre- 
sentatives, to warrant and defend the sale of the afore-mentioned 
property and chattels unto the said party of the second part, 
and his legal representatives, against all and every person whatso- 
ever. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my hand, this tenth 
day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six. 

Louis Clay. 



136 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

NOTICE TO QUIT. 

To John Wontpat: 

You are hereby notified to quit the possession of the premises 
you now occupy to wit: 

\_Insert Description.'] 
on or before thirty days from the date of this notice. 
Dated January 1, 1878. Landlord. 

[^Reverse for Notice to Landlord.] 

GENERAL FORM OF WILL FOR REAL AND PERSONAL 

PROPERTY. 

I, Charles Mansfield, of the town of Bellevue, County of Jackson, 
State of Iowa, being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in fail- 
ing health, but of sound mind and memory, do make and declare 
this to be my last will and testament, in manner following, to- 
wit: 

First. I give, devise and bequeath unto my eldest son, Sidney H. 
Mansfield, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars of bank stock, now in 
the Third National Bank, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the farm owned 
by myself, in the Township of Iowa, consisting of one hundred and 
sixty acres, with all the houses, tenements and iaiprovements 
thereunto belonging; to have and to hold unto my said son, his 
heirs and assigns, forever. 

Second. I give, devise and bequeath to each of my two daugh- 
ters, Anna Louise Mansfield and Ida Clara Mansfield, each Two 
Thousand Dollars in bank stock in the Third National Bank of 
Cincinnati, Ohio; and also, each one quarter section of land, owned 
by myself, situated in the Township of Fairfield, and recorded in 
my name in the Recorder's office, in the county where such land is 
located. The north one hundred and sixty acres of said half sec- 
tion is devised to my eldest daughter, Anna Louise. 

TJiird. 1 give, devise and bequeath to my son Frank Alfred 
Mansfield, five shares of railroad stock in the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, and my one hundred and sixty acres of land, and saw-mill 
thereon, situated in Manistee, Michigan, with all the improve- 
ments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, Avhich said real es- 
tate is recorded in my name, in the county where situated. 

Fourth. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, all 
my household furniture, goods, chattels and personal property, 
about my hotne, not hitherto disposed of, including Eight Thous- 
and Dollars of bank stock in the Third National Bank of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, fifteen shares in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and 
the free and unrestricted use, possession and benefit of the home 
farm so long as she may live, in lieu of dower, to which she is en- 
titled by law — said farm being my present place of residence. 

Fifth. 1 bequeath to my invalid father, Elijah H. Mansfield 
the income frpm rents of my store building at 115 Jackson street 



J 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 137 

Chicago, Illinois, during the term of his natural life. Said build- 
ing and laud therewith to revert to my said sons and daughters in 
equal proportion, upon the demise of ray said father. 

Sixth. It is also my will and desire that, at the death of my 
wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, or at any time when she may 
arrange to relinquish her life interest in the above mentioned 
homestead, the same may revert to my above named children, or to 
the lawful heirs of each. 

Ajid lastly. I nominate and appoint as the executors of this, 
ray last will and testament, my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield 
and ray eldest son, Sidney H. Mansfield. 

I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses 
shall be paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of 
Bellevue, the residue of such moneys to revert to my wife, Vic- 
toria Elizabeth Mimsfield, for her use forever. 
^ In witness whereof, I Charles Mansfield, to this my last will and 
testament, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of 
April, eighteen hundred and seventy-two. 

Charles Mansfield. 
r Signed and declared by Charles Mansfield, as and for his last will 
and testament, in the presence of us, w4io, at his request, and in 
his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our 
names hereunto as witness thereof. 

Peter A. Schenck, Dubuque, Iowa. 
Frank E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa. 

CODICIL. 

Whereas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth day of April, 
one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will 
and testament, I do now, by this writing, add this codicil to my 
said will, to be taken as a part thereof. 

Whereas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna 
Louise, has deceased, Movember fifth, eighteen hundred and 
seventy-three, and whereas a son has been born to me, which son 
is now christened Richard Albert Mansfield. I give and bequeath 
unto him my gold w^atch, and all right, interest and title in lands 
and bank stock and chattels bequeathed to my deceased daughter, 
Anna Louise, in the body of this will. 

In witness whereof, I hereunto placed ray hand and seal, this 
tenth day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five. 

Charles Mansfield. 

Signed, sealed, published and declared to us by the testator, 
Charles Mansfield, as and for a codicil to be annexed to his last 
wall and testament. And we, at his request, and in his presence, 
and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as 
witnesses thereto, at the date hereof. 

Frank E. Dent, Bellevue, Iowa. 
John C. Shay, Bellevue, Iowa. 



138 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

{Form Xo. 1.) 

SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE. 
State of Iowa, 



. .County, \ 
I, , of the County of. ... , State of Iowa, do hereby ac- 
knowledge that a certain Indenture of , bearing date the 

.... day of . . . . , A. D. 18 . . , made and executed by and 

his wife, to said on the following described Real Estate, in 

the County of . . . ., and State of loAva, to-wit: (here insert descrip- 
tion) and filed for record in the office of the Recorder of the County 

of .... , and State of Iowa, on the ... - day of , A. D. 18 . . , 

at. .. .o'clock .M.; and recorded in Book of Mortgage 

Records, on page . . . . , is redeemed, paid off, satisfied and discharged 

in full. [seal.] 

State of Iowa, ) 
.... County, ) 

Be it Remembered, That, on this. . . . day of , A. D. 18. . , 

before me the undersigned, a in and for said county, per- 
sonally appeared . . . . , to me personally known to be the identical 
person who executed the above (satisfaction of mortgage) as grant- 
or, and acknowledged .... signature thereto to be .... vol- 
untary act and deed. 

Witness my hand and seal, the day and year last 

above written. 

ONE FORM OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE. 

Kisrow ALL Men by these Presents: That , of .... 

County, and State of . . . . , in consideration of dollars, in 

hand paid by of .... County, 'and State of . . . . , do hereby 

sell and convey unto the said the following described prem- 
ises, situated in the County of , and State of . . . . , to-wit: 

(here insert description) and .... do hereby covenant with the 

said that .... lawfully seized of said premises, that they 

are free from incumbrance, that .... have good right and lawful 
authority to sell and convey the same; and . . . . do hereby cove- 
nant to warrant and defend the same against the lawful claims of 
all persons whomsoever. To be void upon condition that the said 

shall pay the fuil amount of principal and interest at the 

time therein specified, of .... certain promissory note for the 
sum of .... dollars. 

One note for $. . . , due , 18 . . , with interest annually at . . . 

per cent. 
One note for $ . . . , due , 18 . • , with interest annually at . . . 

per cent. 
One note for $ . . . , due .... , 18 . . , with interest annually at . . . 

per cent. 



HISTORY OF TOWA. J 39 

One note for $ • • • , due , 18 ■ . , with in Merest annually' at . . . 

per cent. 
And the said Mortga^ror agrees to pay all taxes that may be levied 
upon the above described premises. It is also agreed by the Mort- 
gagor that if it becomes necessary to foreclose this inortgage, a 
reasonable amount shall be allowed as an attorney's fee for fore- 
closing. And the said hereby relinquishes all her right of 

dower and homestead in and to the above described premises. 

Signed the .... day of . . . . , A. D. 18 . . . 



[Acknowledge as in Form No. 1.] 

SECOND FORM OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE. 

This Indenture, made and executed .... by and between .... 
of the county of .... and State of. ... , part of the first part, and 
of the county of .... and State of .... parly of the sec- 
ond part, WitnessetJi, that the said part of the first part, for and 
in consideration of the sum of .... dollars, paid by the said party 
of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, 
have granted and sold, and do by these presents, grant, bargain, 
sell, convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part, 
.... heirs and assigns forever, the certain tract or parcel of real 
estate situated in the county of .... and State of ..... described 
as follows, to-wit: 

{Here insert description.) 

The said part of the first part represent to and covenant with 
the part of the second part, that he liave good right to sell and 
convey said premises, that they are free from encumbrance and 
that he will warrant and defend them against the lawful claims 
of all persons whomsoever, and do expressly hereby release all 
rights of dower in and to said premises, and relinquish and convey 
all rights of homestead therein. 

This Instrument is made, executed and delivered upon the fol- 
lowing conditions, to-wit : 

First, Said first part agree to pay said .... or order 

Second. Said first part further agree as is stipulated in said 
note, that if he shall fail to pay any of said interest when due, 
it shall bear interest at the rate of ten per cent, per annum, from 
the time the same becomes due, and this mortgage shall stand as 
security for the same. 

Third. Said first part further agree that he will ])ay all 
taxes and assessments levied upon said real estate before the}' be- 
come delinquent, and if not paid the holder of this mortgage may 
declare the whole sum of money herein secured due and collectible 
at once, or he may elect to pay such taxes or assessments, and be 



140 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

entitled to interest on the same at the rate of ten per cent, per an- 
num, and this mortgage shall stand as security for the amount so 
paid. 

Fourth. Said first part further agree that if he fail to pay 
any of said money, either principal or interest, within .... days 
after the same becomes due, or fail to conform or comply with 
any of the foregoing conditions or agreements, the whole sum 
herein secured shall become due and payable at once, and this 
mortgage may thereupon be foreclosed immediately for the whole 
of said money, interest and costs. 

Fifth. Said first part further agree tliatin the event of the non- 
payment of either principal, interest or taxes when due, and upon 
the filing of a bill of foreclosure of this mortgage, an attorney's 
fee of .... dollars shall become due and payable, and shall be by 
the court taxed, and this mortgage shall stand as security therefor, 
and the same shall be included in the decree of foreclosure and 
shall be made by the Sheriff on general or special execution with 
the other money, interest and costs, and the contract embodied in 
this mortgage and the note described herein, shall in all respects 

be governed, constructed and adjudged by the laws of , where 

the same is made. The foregoing conditions being performed, this 
conveyance to be void, otherwise in full force and virtue. 



[Acknowledge as in form No. 1.] 

FORM OF LEASE. 

This Article of Agree^ient, Made and entered into on this 

.... day of . . . . , A. D. 187 . , by and between , of the 

county of , and State of Iowa, of the first part, and 

of the county of , and State of Iowa, of the second part, 

witnesseth, that the said party of the first part has this day leased 
unt6 the party of the second part the following described prem- 
ises, to-wit: 

Here insert Description. 

for the term of from and after the . . day of A. 

D. 187. ., at the (rent) of dollars, to be paid as 

follows, to-wit: 

Here insert Terms. 

And it is further agreed that if any rent shall be due and un- 
paid, or if default be made in any of the covenants herein con- 
tained, it shall then be lawful for the said party of the first part 
to re-enter the said premises, or to destrain for such rent; or he 
may recover possession thereof, by action of forcible entry and de- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 141 

tainer, notwithstanding the provision of Section 3,612 of the 
Code of 1873; or he may use any or all of said remedies. 

And the said pirty of the second part agrees to pay to the party 
of the first part the rent as above stated, except when said premises 
are untenantable by reason of fire, or from any other cause than 
the carelessness of the party of the second part, or persons .... 
family, or in .... employ, or by superior force and inevitable ne- 
cessity. And the said party of the second part covenants that 
.... will use the said premises as a . . . . , and for no other purpose 
whatever; and that .... especially will not use said premises, or 
permit the same to be used, for any unlawful business or purpose 
whatever; that .... will not sell, assign, underlet or relinquish 
said premises without the written consent of the lessor, under 
penalty of a forfeiture of all .... rights under this lease, at the 
election of the party of the first part; and that .... will use all 
due care and diligence in guarding said property, with the build- 
ings, gates, fences, trees, vines, shrubbery, etc., from damage by 
fire, and the depredations of animals; that .... will keep build- 
ings, gates, fences, etc., in as good repair as they now are, or may 
at any time be placed by the lessor, damages by superior force, in- 
evitable necessity, or fire from any other cause than from the 
carelessness of the lessee, or persons of .... family, or in ... . 
employ, excepted; and that at the expiration of this lease, or upon 
a breach by said lessee of any of the said covenants herein con- 
tained, will, without further notice of any kind, quit and 

surrender the possession and occupancy of said premises in as good 
condition as reasonable use, natural wear and decay thereof will 
permit, damages by fire as aforesaid, superior force, or inevitable 
necessity, only excepted. 

In witness whereof, the said parties have subscribed their names 
on the date first above written. 

In presence of . 



FORM OF NOTE. 

|.... ,!«••, 

On or before the . • day of , 18 . . , for value received, I 

promise to pay or order, dollars, with inter- 
est from date until paid, at ten per cent, per annum, payable annu- 
ally, at Unpaid interest shall bear interest at ten per 

cent, per annum. On failure to pay interest Avithin days 

after due, the whole sum, principal and interest, shall become due 
at once. 



CHATTEL MORTGAGE. 



IvNOW ALL Men by these PRESEiifTS: That of . • . . 

County, and State of .... in consideration of .... dollars, in hand 



142 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

paid by , of . • • . County and State of ... . do hereby sell 

and convey unto the said the following described per- 
sonal property, now in the possession of in the County 

.... and State of . . . . , to-wit: 

Here insert Description. 
And .... do hereby warrant the title of said property, and that it 
is free from any incumbrance or lien. The only right or interest 
retained by grantor in and to said property being the right of re- 
demption as herein provided. This conveyance to be void upon 
condition that the said grantor shall pay to said grantee, or his 
assigns, the full amount of principal and interest at the time there- 
in specified, of .... certain promissory notes of even date here- 
with, for the sum of .... dollars. 

One note for $ , due , 18. . , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18. . , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18 . . , with interest annually at per cent. 

One note for $ , due , 18. . , with interest annually at per cent. 

The grantor to pay all taxes on said property, and if at any time 
any part or portion of said notes should be due and unpaid, said 
grantee may proceed by sale or foreclosure, to collect and pay him- 
self the unpaid balance of said notes, whether due or not, the 
grantor to pay all necessary expenses of such foreclosure, includ- 
ing %. . . . Attorney's fees, and whatever remains after paying off 
said notes and expenses, to be paid over to said grantor. 

Signed the day of , 18 . . . 

[Acknowledged as in form No. 1.] 

WARRANTY DEED. 

Know all Men by these Presents : That of 

County, and State of . . . . , in consideration of the sum of 

Dollars, in hand paid by of County and State of 

. . . . , do hereby sell and convey unto the said .... and to ... . 
heirs and assigns, the following described premises, situated in the 
County of . . . ., State of Iowa, to-wit: 

Here insert Description. 

And I do hereby covenant with the said that . . lawfully 

seized in fee sirnple, of said premises, that they are free from in- 
cumbrance; that . . ha good right and lawful authority to sell 
the same, and . . do hereby covenant to warrant and defend the 
said premises and appurtenances thereto belonging, against the 

lawful claims of all persons whomsoever; and the said 

hereby relinquishes all her right of dower and of homestead in 
and to the above described premises. 

Signed the .... day of , A. D. 18... 

IN PRESENCE OF 



[Acknowledged as in Form No. 1.] 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 143 

QUIT CLAIM DEED. 

Know all Men by these Presents: That of 

County, State of . . . . , in consideration of the sura of .... dolhxrs 

to in hand paid by , of .... County, State of . . . . , the 

receipt whereof ... do hereby acknowledge, have bargained, sold 
and quit-claimed, and by these presents do bargain, sell and quit- 
claim unto the said .... and to . . heirs and assigns forever, all . . 
right, title, interest, estate, claim and demand, both at law and in 
equity, and as well in possession as in expectancy, of, in and to the 
following described premises, to wit: [here insert description] with 
all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereto be- 
longing. 

Signed this . . . day of . . . ., A. D., 18. .. 

Signed in Presence of 



[Acknowledged as in form No. 1.] 

BOND FOR DEED. 

Know all Men by these Presents: That of 

County, and State of .... am held and firmly bouiid unto 

of .... County, and State of . . . . , in the sum of Dollars, 

to be paid to the said , his executors or assigns, for which 

payment well and truly to be made, I bind myself firmly by these 
presents. Signed the .... day of A. D. 18. . . 

The condition of this obligation is such, that if said obligee shall 
pay to said obligor, or his assigns, the full amount of principal and 
interest at the time therein specified, of . . certain promissory note, 
of even date herewith, for the sum of Dollars, 

One note for $...., due , 18 • • , with interest annually at . . 

per cent. 
One note for $...., due , 18 . . , with interest annually at . . 

per cent. 
One note for $...., due , 18 . . , with interest annually at . . 

per cent. 

and pay all taxes accruing upon the lands herein described, then 
said obligor shall convey to the said obligee, or his assigns, that 
certain tract or parcel of real estate, situated in tht; County of .... 
and State of Iowa, described as follows, to wit: [ here insert descrip- 
tion] by a Warranty Deed, with the usual covenants, duly execut- 
ed and acknowledged. 

If said obligee should fail to make the payments as above stipu- 
lated, or any part thereof, as the same becomes due, said obligor 
may at his option, by notice to the obligee terminate his liability 
under the bond and resume the possession and absolute control of 
said premises, time being the essence of this agreement. 



144 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

On the fulfillment of the above conditions this obligation to be- 
come void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue; unless ter- 
minated by the obligor as above stipulated. 

[Acknowledged as in form No. 1] 

CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC AND RELIGIOUS ASSOCIA- 
TIONS. 

Any three or more persons of full age, citizens of the United 
States, a majority of whom shall be citizens of this State, who de- 
sire to associate themselves for benevolent, charitable, scientific, 
religious or missionary purposes, may make, sign and acknowledge 
before any officer authorized to take acknowledgements of deeds in 
this .State, and have recorded in the ofiice of the Recorder of the 
county in which the business of such society is to be conducted, a 
certificate in writing, in which shall be stated the name or title by 
which such society shall be known, the particular business and ob- 
jects of such society, the number of Trustees, Directors or Manag- 
ers to conduct the same, and the names of the Trustees, Directors 
or Managers of such society for the first year of its existence. 

Upon filing for record the certificate, as aforesaid, the persons 
who shall have signed and acknowledged such certificate, and their 
associates and successors, shall, by virtue hereof, be a body politic 
and corporate by the name stated in such certificate, and that they 
and their successors shall and may have succession, and shall be 
persons capable of suing and being sued, and may have and use a 
common seal, which they may alter or change at pleasure: and 
they and their successors, by their corporate name, shall be capable 
of taking, receiving, purchasing and holding real and personal estate 
and of making by-laws for the management of its affairs, not in- 
consistent with law. 

The society so incorporated may, annually or oftener, elect from 
its members its Trustees, Directors or Managers at such time and 
place, and in such manner as may be specified in its by-laws, who 
shall have the control and management of the aff'airs and funds of 
the society, a majority of whom shall be a quorunl for the transac- 
tion of business, and whenever any vacancy shall happen among 
such I'rustees, Directors or Managers, by death, resignation 
or neglect to serve, such vacancy shall be filled in such manner as 
shall be provided by the by-laws of such society. When the body 
corporate consists of the Trustees, Directors or Managers of any 
benevolent, charitable, literary, scientific, religious or missionary 
institution, which is or may be established in the State, and which 
is or may be under the patronage, control, direction or supervision 
of any synod, conference, association or other ecclesiastical body in 
such State, established agreeably to the laws thereof, such eccles- 
iastic il body may nominate and appoint such Trustees, Directors or 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 145 

Managers, according to usages of the appointing body, and may- 
fill any vacancy which may occur among such Trustees, Directors 
or Managers; and when any such institution may be under the pat- 
ronage, control, direction or supervision of two or more of such sy- 
nods, conferences, associations or other ecclesiastical bodies, such 
bodies may severally nominate and appoint such proportion of such 
Trustees, Directors or Managers as shall be agreed upon by those 
bodies immediately concerned. And any vacancy occurring among 
such appointees last named, sh ill be filled by the synod, confer- 
ence, association or body having appointed the last incumbent. 

In case any election of Trustees, Directors or Managers shall not 
be made on the day designated by the by-laws, said society for that 
cause shall not be dissolved, but such election may take place on 
any other day selected by such by-laws. 

Any corporation formed under this chapter shall be capable of 
taking, holding or receiving property by virtue of any devise or be- 
quest contained in any last will or testament of any person what- 
soever; but no person leaving a wife, child or parent, shall devise 
or bequeath to such institution or corporation more than one-fourth 
of his estate after the payment of his debts, and such devise or be- 
quest shall be valid only to the extent of such one-fourth. 

Any corporation in this State of an academical character, the 
membership of which shall consist of lay members and pastors of 
churches, delegates to any synod, conference or council holding 
its annual meetings alternately in this and one or more adjoining 
States, ma}^ hold its annual meeting for the election of officers and 
the transaction of business in any adjoining State to this, at such 
place therein as the said synod, conference or council shall hold its 
annual meetings; and the elections so held and business so trans- 
acted shall be as legal and binding as if held and transacted at the 
place of business of the corporation in this State. 

I'he provisions of this chapter shall not extend or apply to any 
association or individual who shall, in the certificate filed with the 
Recorder, use or specify a name or style the same as that of any 
previously existing incorporated society in the county. 

The Trustees, Directors or stockholders of any existing benevo- 
lent, charitable, scientific, missionary or religious corporation may, 
by conforming to the requirements of Section 1,095 of this chap- 
ter, re-incorporate themselves or continue their existing corporate 
powers, and all the property and effects of such existing corpora- 
tion shall vest in and belong to the corporation so re-incorporated 
or continued. 

INTOXICATING LIQUORS. 

No intoxicating liquors (alcohol, spirituous and vinous liquors), 
except wine manufactured from grapes, currants or other fruit 
grown in the State, shall be manufactured or sold, except for me- 



146 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

clianical, medicinal, culinary or sacramental purposes; and even 
such sale is limited as follows: 

Any citizen of the State, except hotel keepers, keepers of saloons, 
eating houses, grocery keepers and confectioners, is permitted to 
buy and sell, within the county of his residence, such liquors for 
such mechanical, etc., purposes only, provided he shall obtain the 
consent of the Board of Supervisors. In order to get that consent 
he must get a certificate from a majority of the electors of the 
town or township or ward in which he desires to sell, that he is of 
good moral character, and a proper person to sell such liquors. 

If the Board of Supervisors grant him permission to sell such 
liquvirs, he must give bonds, and shall not sell such liquors at a 
greater profit than thirty-three per cent, on the cost of the same. 
Any person having a permit to sell, shall make, on the last Satur- 
day of every month, a return in writing to the Auditor of the 
county, showing the kind and quantity of the liquors purchased by 
him since the date of his last report, the price paid and the amount 
of freights paid on the same; also the kind and quantity of liquors 
sold by him since the date of his last report, to whom sold, for 
what purpose and at what price, also the kind and quantity of 
liquors on hand; which report shall be sworn to by the person 
having the permit, and shall be kept by the Auditor, subject at all 
times to the inspection of the public. 

No person shall sell or give away any intoxicating liquors, in- 
cluding wine or beer, to any minor, for any purpose whatever, ex- 
cept upon written order of parent, guardian or family physician; or 
sell the same to an intoxicated person or a person in the habit of 
becoming intoxicated. 

Any person who shall mix any intoxicating liquor with any 
beer, wine or cider, by him sold, and shall sell or keep for sale, as 
a beverage, such mixture, shall be punished as for sale of intoxi- 
cating liquor. 

But nothing in the chapter containing the laws governing the 
sale, or prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors, shall be con- 
strued to forbid the sale by the importer thereof of foreign intox- 
icatmg liquor, imported under the authority of the laws of the 
United States, regarding the importation of such liquors, and in 
accordance with such laAvs; provided that such liquor, at the time 
of the sale by the importer, remains in the original casks or pack- 
ages in which it was by him imported, and in quantities not less 
than the quantities in which the laws of the United States require 
such liquors to be imported, and is sold by him in such original 
casks or packages, and in said quantities only. 

All payment or compensation for intoxicating liquor sold in vio- 
lation of the laws of this State, whether such payments or com- 
pensation be in money, goods, lands, labor, or anything else what- 
soever, shall be held to have been received in violation of law and 
equity and good conscience, and to have been received upon a 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 147 

valid promise and agreement of the receiver, in consideration of 
the receipt thereof, to pay on demand to the person furnishing 
such consideration, the amount of the money on the just value of 
the goods or other things. 

All sales, transfers, conveyances, mortgages, liens, attachments, 
pledges and securities of every kind, which, either in whole or in 
part, shall have been made on account of intoxicating liquors sold 
contrary to law, shall be utterly null and void. 

Negotiable paper in the hands of holders thereof, in good faith, 
for valuable consideration, without notice of any illegality in its 
inception or transfer, however, shall not be affected by the above 
provisions. Neither shall the holder of land or other property 
who may have taken the same in good faith, without notice of any 
defect in the title of the person from whom the same was taken, 
growing out of a violation of the liquor law, be affected by the 
above provision. 

Every wife, child, parent, guardian, employer, or other person, 
who shall be injured in person or property or means of support, 
by an intoxicated person, or in consequence of the intoxication, 
has a right of action against any person who shall, by selling in- 
toxicating liquors, cause the intoxication of such person, for all 
damages actually sustained as well as exemplary damages. 

For any damages recovered, the person and real property (except 
homestead, as now provided) of tlie person against whom the dam- 
ages are recovered, as well as the premises or property, personal or 
real, occupied and used by him, with consent and knowledge of 
owner, either for manufacturing or selling intoxicating liquors 
contrary to law, shall be liable. 

The only other exemption, besides the homestead, from this 
sweeping liability, is that the defendant may have enough for the 
support of his family for six months, to be determined by the 
Township Trustee. 

No ale, wine, beer or other malt or vinous liquors shall be sold 
within two miles of the corporate limits of any municipal corpora- 
tion, except at Ayholesale, for the purpose of shipment to places 
outside of such corporation and such two mile limits. The power 
of the corporation to prohibit or license sale of liquors not prohib- 
ited by law is extended over the two miles. 

No ale, wine beer or other malt or vinous liquors shall be sold 
on the day on which any election is held under the laws of this 
State, within two miles of the place Avhere said election is held; 
except only that any person holding a permit may sell upon the 
prescription of a practicing physician. 



148 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY 
SUBSCRIPTION. 

The business of puhlisliing hooks hy subscription, having so often 
been brought into disrepute by agents making representations and 
declarations not autJiorised by the publisher, in order to prevent 
that as much as possible, and that there may be more general 
knowledge of the relation such agents bear to their principal, and 
the law governing such cases, the following statement is made: 

A subscriptioyi is in the nature of a contract of mutual prom- 
ises, by which the subscriber agrees to pay a certain sum for the 
work described; the consideration is concurrent thai the pnhMsher 
shall publish the book named, and deliver the same, for which the 
subscriber is to pay the price named. The nature and character 
of tJie work is described by the prospectus and sample shown. 
These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they 
are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay^ and not the 
too often exaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely employed 
to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually j^a/c? a commission 
for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the 
conditions upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made 
by the publisher. Should the agent assume to agree to make the 
subscription conditional or modify or cJiange tlie agreement of the 
publisher, as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to 
bindthe principal, the subscriber should see that such condition or 
change?, nreiit-aie^ over or in connection witli his signature, so that 
the publisher may have notice of the same. 

All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this 
kind, or any other business, should remember that the laiv as 
written is, that they can not be altered, varied or rescinded rer- 
hally, but if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore 
important that all persons contemplating subscribing should dis- 
tinctly understand that all talk before or after the subscription is 
made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the contract. 

Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade 
as canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular 
business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do it in any 
other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind 
their principal in any other matter. They can not collect money 
or agree that payment may be made in anything else but money. 
They cannot extend the time of payment beyond the time of de- 
livery, nor bind their principal for the payment of expenses in- 
curred in their business. 

It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if 
persons, before signing their names to any subscription book, or any 
written instrument, would examine carefully what it is; if they 
can not read themselves, call on some one disinterested who can. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 149 



Practical Rules for Every Day Use. 



Hou' to find the gain or loss per cent, when the cost and selling price 
are given. 

Rule. — -Find the difference between the cost and selling price, 
Avhich will be the gain or loss. 

Annex two ciphers to the gain or loss, and divide it by the cost 
price; the result will be the gain or loss per cent. 

How to change gold into currency. 

Rule. — Multiply the given sum of gold by the price of gold. 

How to change currency into gold. 

Rule. — Divide the amount in currency by the price of gold. 

How to find each partner s share of the gain or loss in a copartner- 
ship business. 

Rule. — Divide the whole gain or loss by the entire* stock the 
quotient will be the gain or loss per cent. 

Multiply each partner's stock by this per cent., the result will 
be each one's share of the gain or loss. 

How to find gross and net weight and price of hogs. 

A sho7-t and simple method for finding the net weight, or price of 
hogs, when the gross weight or price is given, and vice versa. 

Note.— Tt is generally assumed that the gross weight of Hogs dlniini.xlied by 1-5 
or 33 per cent, ot itself giv'es the net weight, and the net weight iacreased by Ki or 25 
per cent, of itself equals the gross weight. 

To find the net weight or gross price. 

Multiply the given number by .08 (tenths). 

To find the gross weight or net price. 

Divide the given number by .08 (tenths). 

How to find the capacity of a granary, bin or wagon-bed. 

Rule. — Multiply by short method) the number of cubic feet by 
6,308, and point off one decimal place — the result will be the 
correct answer jn bushels and tenths of a bushel. 

For only an approximate answer, multiply the cubic feet by 8, 
and point off one decimal place. 

How to find the contents of a corn-crib. 

Rule.- — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 54, short method, 
or by 4| ordinary method, and point off one decimal place — the 
result will be the answer in bushels. 

Note.— In estimating corn in the ear, the quality and the time it Iiasi been 

cribbed must be taken into consideration, since corn will shrink considerably during 
wint r and spring. This rule generally holds good for corn measured at tiic time it is 
cribbed, provided it is sound and clean. 

How to find the contents of a cistern or tank. 

Rule. — Multiply the square of the mean diameter by the depth 
(all in feet) and this product by 5,681 (short method), and point off 



150 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

ONE decimal place — the result will be the contents in barrels of 
31^ gallons. 

How to find the contents of a barrel or cask. 

Rule. — Under the square of the mean diameter, write the length 
(all in inches) in eeversed order, so that its units will fall under 
the tens; multiply by short method, and this product again by 
430; point off one decimal place, and the result will be the answer 
in wine gallons. 

How to measure boards. 

Rule. — Multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches) 
and divide the product by 12 — the result will be the contents in 
square feet. 

How to measure scantlings, joists, planks, sills, etc. 

Rule. — Multiply the width, the thickness, and the length to- 
gether (the width and thickness in inches, and the length in feet), 
and divide the product by 12 — the result will be square feet. 

How to find the number of acres in a body of land. 

Rule. — Multiply the length by the width (in rods), and divide 
the product by 160 (carrying the division to 2 decimal places if 
there is a remainder); the result will be the answer in acres and 
hundredths. 

When the opposite sides of a piece of land are of unequal length, 
add them together and take one-Jialf for the mean length or width. 

How to find the number of square yards in a floor or wall. 

Rule. — Multiply the length by the width or height (in feet), 
ani divide the product by 9, the result will be square yards. 

How to find the number of bricks required in a building. 

Rule. — Multiply the number of cubic feet by 22i. 

The number of cubic feet is found by multiplying the length, 
height and thickness (in feet) together. 

Bricks are usually made 8 inches long, i inches wide, and two 
inches thick; hence, it requires 27 bricks to make a cubic foot 
without mortar, but it is generally assumed that the mortar fills 
1-6 of the space. 

How to find the number of shingles required in a roof. 

Rule. — ^Multiply the number of square feet in the roof by 8, if 
the shingles are exposed ih inches, or by 7 1-5 if exposed 5 inches. 

To find the number of square feet, niultiply the length of the 
roof by twice the length of the rafters. 

To iind the length of the rafters, at one-fourth pitch, multiply 
the width of the building by .56 (hundredths); at one-thikd pitch 
by .6 (tenths); at two-fifths pitch, by .64: (hundredths); at one- 
half pitch, by .71 (hundredths). This gives the length of the 
rafters from the apex to the end of the wall, and whatever they 
are to project must be taken into consideration. 

Note.— By Vi or >j pitch is meant that the apex or comb of the roof is to be }i or }i 
the width of the building bigber than the walls or base of the rafters. 



I 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 151 

How to reckon the east of hay. 

Rule. — Multiply the number of pounds by half the price per 
ton, and remove the decimal point thre3 places to the left. 

How to measure grain. 

Rule.— Level the grain, ascertain the space it occapies in cubic 
feet; multiply the number of cubic feet by 8, and point off one 
place to the left. 

Note.— Exactness raquires the allitijn to every three hundred bushels of one 
extra bushel. 

The foregoing rule may be used for finding the number of gal- 
lons, by multiplying the number of bushels by 8. 

If the corn in the box is in the ear, divide the answer by 2, to 
find the number of bushels of shelled corn, because it re:;[uires 2 
bushels of ear corn to make 1 of shelled corn. 

Rapid rules for measuring land without instruments. 

In measuring land, the first thing to ascertain is the contents of 
any given plot in square yards; then, given the number of yards, 
find out the number of rods and acres. 

The most ancient and simplest measure of distance is a step. 
Now, an ordinary-sized man can train himself to cover one vard 
at a stride, on the average, with sufficient accuracy for ordiiiary 
purposes. 

To make use of this means of measuring distances, it is essential 
to walk in a straight line; to do this, fix the eye on two objects in 
a line straight ahead, one comparatively near, the other remote. 
and, in walking, keep these objects constantly in line. 

Farmers and others by adopting the following simple and ingenious 
contrivance, may always carry with them the scale to construct a cor- 
rect yard measure. 

Take a foot rule, and commencing at the base of the little finger 
of the left hand, mark the quarters of the foot on the outer borders 
of the left arm, pricking in the marks with indelible ink. 

To find how many rods in length will make an acre., the width being 
given. 

Rule. — Divide 160 by the width, and the quotient will be the 
answer. 

How to find the number of acres in any plot of land, the number of 
rods being given. 

Rule. — Divide the number of rods by 8, multiply the quotient 
by 5, and remove the decimal point two places to the left. 

The diameter being given, to find the circumference. 

Rule. — Multiply the diameter by 3 1-7. 

To find the diameter, when the circumference is given. 

Rule. — Divide the circumference by 3 1-7. 

To find how many solid feet a round stick of timber of the same thick- 
ness throughout will contain when squared 

Rule. — Square half the diameter in inches, multiply by 2, mul- 
tiply by the length in feet, and divide the product by 11:4. 



152 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

General rule for measuring timber, to find the solid contents in feet. 

Rule. — Multiply the depth in inches by the breadth in inches, 
and then multiply by the length in feet, and divide by 144. 

To find the number of feet of timber in trees with the bark on. 

Rule. — Multiply the square of one-iifth of the circumfeTence in 
inches, by twice the length, in feet, and divide by 144. Deduct 
1-10 to 1-15 according to the thickness of the bark. 

Howard's new rule for computing interest. 

Rule. — The reciprocal of the rate is the time for which the in- 
terest on any sum of money will be shown by simply removing the 
decimal point two places to the left; for ten times that time, re- 
move the point one place to the left; for 1-10 of the same time, 
remove the point three places to the left. 

Increase or diminish the results to suit the time given. 

Note —The reciprocal of the rate is found by inverting the rate; thus 3 per cent, 
per month, inverted, becomes ^i of a month, or 10 days 

When the rate is expressed by one figure, always write it thus: 
3-1, three ones. 

Rule for converting English into American currency. 

Multiply the pounds, with the shillings and pence stated in dec- 
imals, by 400 plus the premium in fourths, and divide the product 
by 90. 

U. S. GOVERNMENT LAND MEASURE. 

A township — 36 sections each a mile square. 

A section — 640 acres. 

A quarter section, half a mile square — 160 acres. 

An eighth section, half a mile long, north and south, and a 
quarter of a mile wide — 80 acres. 

A sixteenth section, a quarter of a mile square — 40 acres. 

The sections are all numbered 1 to 36, commencing at the north- 
east corner. 

The sections are divided into quarters, which are named by the 
cardinal points. The quarters are divided in the same way. The 
description of a forty-acre lot would read: The south half of the 
west half of the south-west quarter of section 1 in township 24, 
north of range 7 west, or as the case might be; and sometimes will 
fall short and sometimes overrun the number of acres it is sup- 
posed to contain. 

The nautical mile is 795 4-5 feet longer than the common mile. 

SURVEYORS' MEASURE. 

7 92-100 inches make 1 link. 

25 links " 1 rod. 

4 rods " 1 chain. 

80 chains " 1 mile. 

Note. — A chain is 100 links, equal to 4 rods or 66 feet, 



i 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



153 



Shoenidkers formerly used a subdivision of the inch called a bar- 
leycorn; three of which made an inch. 

'Horses are measured directly over the fore feet, and the stand- 
ard of measure is four inches — called a hand. 

In Biblical and other old measurements, the term span is some- 
times used, which is a length of nine inches. 

The sacred cubit of the Jews was 24.024 inches in length. 

The common cubit of the Jews was 21.704 inches in length. 

A pace is equal to a yard or 36 inches. 

A fathom is equal to 6 feet. 

A league is three miles, but its length is variable, for it is, strictly 
speaking, a nautical term, and should be three geographical miles, 
equal to 3.45 statute miles, but when used on land, three statute 
miles are said to be a league. 

In cloth measure an aune is equal to 1^ yards, or 45 inches. 

An Amsterdam ell is equal to 26.796 inches. 

A Trieste ell is equal to 25.284 inches. 

A Brabant ell is equal to 27.116 inches. 

MISCELLANEOUS TABLE. 

12 units, or things, 1 Dozen. 196 pounds, 1 Barrel oi'l-'lour. 

12 dozen, 1 Gross. 200 pounds, 1 Barrel of Pork. 

20 things, 1 Score. 56 pounds, 1 Firkin of Butter. 

24 sheets of paper, 1 Quire. 20 quires paper. 1 Ream. 

4 ft. wide, 4 ft. high, and 8 feet long, 1 Cord Wood. 



HOW TO KEEP ACCOUNTS. 

Every farmer and mechanic, whether he does much or little bus- 
iness, should keep a record of his transactions in a clear and sys- 
tematic manner. For the benefit of th(»>e who have not had the 
opportunity of acquiring a primary knowledge of the principles of 
book-keeping, we here present a simple form of keeping accounts 
which is easily comprehended, and well adapted to record the busi- 
ness transactions of farmers, mechanics and laborers. 

1882. A. H. JACKSON. Dr. Cr, 



Jan. 
Feb. 



March 8 



April 

May 

Julv 



To 7 bushels Wheat 

By shoeing span of horses . . 

To 14 bushels Oats 

To 5 ft) Butter 

By new HaiTOw 

By sharpening 2 Plows . . . 

By new Double-Tree 

To Cow and Calf 

9; To half ton of Hay 

9 By Cash 

6 By repairing Corn-Planter. . 

To one Sow with Pigs 

By Cash, to balance account 



.at $1.25 



.at; 

■ at 



.45 



18175 

630 
125 



48i00 
6 25 



17 



50 



8 05 



$250 



1800 

40 

2 25 



$88i05 



154 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



1882. 



CASS A MASON. 



Dr. Cr. 



Maich 


21 


" 


21 


" 


23 


May 


1 


" 


1 


June 


19 


(1 


26 


July 


10 


" 


29 


Aug. 


12 


Sept. 


1 



by 3 days' labor at $1.25 

To 2 Shoats at 8.00 

To 18 Bushels Corn at .45 

By 1 month's Labor 

To Cash 

Ry 8 day's Mowing at $1.50 

I'o 50 ft Flour 

To 27 ft Meat at $ .10 

By 9 Days Harvesting at 2.00 

By 6 days' Labor at 1.50 

To Cash 

To Cash to balance account 







$3 


|6 


00 




8 


10 


25 


10 


00 


12 


2 


75 




2 


70 


18 
9 


20 


00 




is 


20 




$67 


75 


$67 



00 



00 

;oo 

'00 



INTEREST TABLE. 

A Simple Rule for Accurately Computing Interest at Any Given 
Per Cent for any Length of Time. 

Multiply the^jr/«c/7;«Z (amount of money at interest) by the time reduced to 
dat/s; then divide this product by the quotient obtained by dividing 360 (the num- 
ber of days in the interest year) by the^jer cent, of interest, and the quotient thus 
obtained will be the required interest. 



ili,ustration. 

Require the interest of $462.50 for one month and 
eighteen days at 6 per cent. An interest month is 30 
days; one month nnd eighteen days equal 48 days. 
$462.50 multiplied by .48 gives $222.0000; 360 divided 
by 6 (the per cent, of "interest) gives 60, and $222,0000 
divided by 60 will give you the exact interest, which 
is $3.70. If the rate of interest in the above example 
were 12 per cent., we would divide the $222,0000 by 30 
(because 360 divided by twelve gives 30); if 4 percent, 
we would divide by 90; it 8 per cent., by 45; and in 
like manner for any other per cent. 



Solution. 

$462.50 

.48 

370000 
6)3601 185000 

60 J $222.0000($3.70 
180 

420 
430 





NAMES OF THE STATES OF THE UNION, AND THEIR 
SIGNIFICATIONS. 

Virginia — The oldest of the States, was so called in honor of 
Queen Elizabeth, the '' Virgin Queen," in whose reign Sir Walter 
Raleigh made his first attempt to colonize that region. 

Florida — Ponce deLeou landed on the coast of Florida on Easter 
Sunday, and called the country in commemoration of the day, which 
was the Pasqua Florida of the Sj^aniards, or "'Feast of Flowers." 

Louisiana was called after Louis the Fourteenth, who at one 
time owned that section of the country. 

Alabama was so named by the Indians, and signifies " Here we 
Rest." 

Mississippi is likewise an Indian name, meaning '• Long 
River." 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 155 

Arkansas, from Kansas, the Indian word for '' Smoky AVater." 
Its prefix was really arc, the French word for " bow." 

The Carolinas were originally one tract, and were called "Caro- 
lina," after Charles the Ninth of France. 

Georgia owes its name to George the Second of England, who 
first established a colony there in 1782. 

Tennessee is the Indian name for the "River of the Bend," i. e., 
the Mississippi which forms its western boundary. 

Kentucky is the Indian name for " at the head of the river." 

Ohio means " beautiful;" loica, "the beautiful land;" Minnesota, 
" cloudy water," and Wisconsin, " wild-rushing channel." 

Illinois is derived from the Indian word illini, men, and the 
French suffix ois, together signifying " tribe of men." 

MicJiic/an was called by the name given the lake, ^,s/<-?re/>-, which 
was so styled from its fancied resemblance to a fish trap. 

Missouri is from the Indian word " muddy," which more prop- 
erly applies to the river that flows through it. 

Oregon owes its Indian name to its principal river. 

Cortez named California. 

Massachusetts is the Indian name for '" The country around the 
great hills." 

Connecticut , from the Indian Quon-ch-ta-Cut, signifying "Long 
River. 

Maryland, after Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles the First, 
of England. 

New York was named by the Duke of York. 

Pennsylvania, means " Penn's Woods," and was so called after 
Wm. Penn, its owner. 

Delaware, after Lord De La Ware. 

New Jersey, so called in honor of Sir George Carteret, who was 
Governor of tke Island of Jersey, in the British Channel. 

Maine was called after the province of Maine in France, in com- 
pliment of Queen Henrietta of England, who owned that province. 

Vermont, from the French word l^ert Mont, signifying Green 
Mountain. 

New Hampshire, from Hampshire County in England. It was 
formerly called Laconia. 

The little State of Rhode Island owes its name to the Island of 
Rhodes in the Mediterranean, which domain it is said to greatly 
resemble. 

Texas is the American word for the Mexican name by which 
all that section of the country was called before it was ceded to the 
United States. 



]56 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



POPULATION OF THE SEVERAL COUNTIES OF IOWA, 1880 CENSUS. 



COUNTIES. 



COUNTT SEAT. 



Population 
in 1880. 



Adair 

Adams 

Allamakee . . 
Appanoose. . 
Audubon . . . . 

Benton 

Blackbawk. . 

Boone 

Bremer 

Buchanan . . , 
Buena Vista. 

Butler 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Cedar 

Cerro Gordo. 

Cherokee 

Chickasaw. . 

Clarke 

Clay 

Clayton 

Clinton 

Crawford 

Dallas 

Davis 

Decatur 

Delaware 

Des Moines. 
Dickinson. . . 

Dubuque 

Emmet . . . . 

Fayette 

Floyd 

Franklin 

Fremont 

Greene 

Grundy 

Guthrie 

Hamilton. . . , 

Hancock 

Hardin 

Harrison .... 

Henry 

Howard 

Humboldt.. . 

Ida 

Iowa 

Jackson 

Jasper 

Jefferson 



1854 
1853 
1849 
1846 
1855 
1846 
1853 
1849 
1853 
1847 
1858 
1854 
1855 
1856 
1853 
1836 
1855 
1856 
1853 
1851 
1858 
1838 
1840 
1855 
1847 
1844 
1850 
1840 
1834 
1857 
1834 
1859 
1S50 
1854 
1855 
1849 
1854 
1856 
1851 
1857 
1S58 
1853 
18.53 
1836 
18.55 
1857 
1858 
1845 
1838 
1846 
1838 



Greenfield 

Coming 

Waukon 

Centerville 

Audubon 

Vinton 

Waterloo 

Boonsboro 

Waverly 

Independence . . 
Storm Lake. . . . 
Butler Center. . 
Rockwell City.. 

Carroll 

Atlantic 

Tipton 

Mason City 

Cherokee 

New Hampton. 

Osceola 

Spencer , 

Elkader 

Clinton 

Denison 

Adel 

Bloomfield 

Leon 

Delhi 

Burlington 

Spirit Lake 

Dubuque 

Swan Lake 

West Union... 
Charles City . . . 

Hampton 

Sidney 

Jefferson 

Grundy Center. 
Guthrie Center. 
Webster City.. 

Concord 

Eldora 

Logan 

Mt. Pleasant... 

Cresco 

Dakota 

Ida Grove 

Marengo 

Maquoketa 

Newton 

Fan-field 



11,199 

11,888 
19,791 
16.936 

7,448 
24,888 
23,913 
20,838 
14,081 
18,547 

7,537 
14,293 

5,595 
12,351 
16,943 
18,937 
11,461 

8,240 
14,534 
11,512 

4,248 
28,829 
36,764 
12,413 
18,746 
16,468 
15,336 
17,952 
33,099 

1,901 
42,997 

1,.5.50 
22.258 
14,677 
10,248 
17,653 
12,725 
12,639 
14,863 
11,252 

3,453 
17,808 
16,649 
20,826 
10,837 

5,341 

4,382 
19,221 
23,771 
25,962 
17,478 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 157 

POPULATION OF THE SEVERAL COUNTIES OF IOWA, 1880 CENSUS. 



COUNTIES. 



COUNTY SEATS. 



Population 
in 1880. 



Johnson 

Jones 

Keokuk 

Kossuth 

Lee 

Linn 

Loiiisa 

Lucas 

Lyon 

Madison 

Mahaska , . 

Marion 

Marshall 

Mills 

Mitchell 

Monona 

Monroe 

Montgomery . . 

Muscatine 

O'Brien 

Osceola 

Page 

Palo Alto.... 

Plymouth 

Pocahontas . . . 

Polk 

Pottawattamie 

Poweshiek 

Binggold 

Sac 

Scott 

Shelby 

Sioux 

Story. 

Tama 

Taylor 

Union 

Van Buren 

Wapello 

Warren 

Washmgton . . 

"Wayne 

Webster 

Winnebago. . . 
Winneshiek. . . 
Woodbury .... 

Worth 

AVright 

Total 



1848 
1839 
1844 
1855 
18:17 
1839 
1839 
1849 
1872 
1850 
1844 
1845 
1850 
1851 
1854 
1854 
1851 
1858 
1838 
1860 
1872 
1851 
1857 
1858 
1859 
1846 
1848 
1848 
1^55 
1858 
1838 
1S53 
1860 
1853 
1854 
1851 
1853 
1837 
1844 
1839 
1S49 
1851 
1853 
1857 
1851 
1853 
1857 
1855 



Iowa City 

Anamosa 

Sigourney 

Algona 

Ft. Madison 

Marion 

Wapello 

Chariton 

Rock Rapids 

Winterset 

Oskaloosa 

Knoxville 

Marshalltown 

Glen wood , 

Osage 

Onawa 

Albia 

Red Oak 

Muscatine 

Primghar 

Sibley 

Clarinda 

Emmetsburg 

Le Mars 

Pocahontas Center. 

Des Moines 

CouncU Bluffs 

Montezuma 

Mt. Ayr 

Sac City 

Davenport 

Harlan 

Orange City 

Nevada 

Toledo 

Bedford 

Afton 

Keosauqua 

Ottumwa 

Indianola 

Washington 

Corydon 

Fort Dodge , 

Forest City 

Decorah 

Sioux City 

Northwood 

Clarion 



25,249 
21,052 
21,259 

6,179 
34,859 
37,235 
13,146 
14,530 

1,968 
17,225 
25,201 
25,111 
23,752 
14,135 
14,361 

9,055 
13,719 
15,895 
23,168 

4,155 

2,219 
19,667 

4,131 

3,567 

3,713 
41,395 
39,846 
18,936 
12,085 

8,774 
42,270 
12,696 

5,436 
16,906 
21,585 
15,635 
14,900 
17,042 
25,282 
19,578 
20,375 
16,127 
15,9.50 

4,917 
23,937 
14,997 

7,953 

5,062 

1,624,463 



158 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The total footings for the State of Iowa, according: to the census, are, males, 
848,235; females, 776,228; native, 1,363,015; foreign, 261,418; white, 1,614,- 
510; colored (including 47 Chinese and 464 Indians and half-breeds), 9,953, 
total, 1,624,463. 



POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES. 

The revised and corrected returns of the census bureau show the 
population of the several States and Territories of the country to 
be as follows: 



Alabama 1,262,505 

Arizona 40,440 

Arkansas 802,525 

California 864,694 

Colorado 194,327 

Connecticut 622,700 

Dakota 135,177 

Delaware 146.608 

District of Columbia 177,624 

Florida 269.493 

Georgia 1,542,180 

Idaho 32,610 

Illinois 3,077,871 

Indiana 1,978,301 

Iowa 1,624,615 

Kansas 996,086 

Kentucky 1,648,690 

Louisiana 939,946 

Maine 648,936 

Maryland 934,942 

Massachusetts 1,783,085 

Michigan 1.636,937 

Minnesota 780,773 

Mississippi 1,131,597 

Missouri 2,168,380 



Montana 39,159 

Nebraska 452,402 

Nevada , 62,266 

New Hampshire 336,991 

New Jersey 1.131,116 

New Mexico 116,565 

New York 5,082,871 

North Carolina 1,399,750 

Ohio 3.198,062 

Oregon 174.768 

Pennsylvania 4,282,891 

Rhode Island 276,5.?1 

South Carolina 995,577 

Tennessee 1 ,542,359 

Texas 1,591,749 

Utah 143,963 

Vermont 332,286 

Virginia 1,512,565 

Washington 75,116 

West Virginia 618,457 

Wisconsin 1,315,497 

Wyoming 20,789 



Grand total 50,155,78S 




HISTORY OF IOWA. 159 



Geological and Physical Features. 



Prof. J. F, Elsom. 

" The science of Geology illustrates many astonishing facts," 
Viewed in the light of authentic tests, the region of country over 
which this work extends, presents ample study for the Geologist 
and Antiquarian, for nowhere in the broad expanse of country 
traversed by the writer — excepting, perhaps, some sections of the 
country of mines — is there such a fine field for the labor of the 
geologist. As we stood upon the high bluffs viewing the beauti- 
ful valleys below, or rowed over any of these streams — commercial 
arteries of this great country — and tried to peer up the steep sides 
of the overhanging bluffs, we often imagined ourself living away 
amid the dim cycles of the past; again we lived in the present, 
wondtn'ing what unseen agencies and gigantic forces had been em- 
ployed to transform what was evidently once a vast and almost 
boundless sea, into one of the finest sections of land — food pro- 
ducing land — between the two great oceans. Again, as the author 
examined with hammer and chisel, testing the chips by heat and 
cold, acid and alkali, subjecting the fused residuum to the diaphragm 
of the microscope, or the wonderful spectra of the spectroscope, 
he was often amazed at the broad expanse of time that must have 
elapsed to make this wonderful strata from that ungainly, shapeless 
mass, which, as Sacred History teaches, was this earth's original form. 
Furthermore, it seems almost incredible that little by little as these 
sands accumulate, that there could have elapsed sufficient time for 
these marine aggregations and changes. This, however, is merely 
prefaratory, and we must hasten on to the subject matter, accorded 
to this limited space, for to do the subject anything like justice, a 
book much larger than this entire history would be required. The 
reader will know by this why we have not gone more into detail 
in our discussion of this interesting and valuable portion of the 
work. 

To the geologist, among the first things to attract the attention 
in this section is the "Walled Lakes" of Northern Iowa, one of 
them in Wright County — where we first made a survey — is about 
three-eighths of a mile wide, with a wall or embankment from 2 to 
10 feet high surrounding it, formerly supposed to be the work of 
ancient races, a theory, however, now discountenanced, for practi- 
cal tests and observation go to prove that they are the results of 
natural causes, namely the periodical action of alternate heat and 
cold, aided to a limited extent by the action of the waves. These 
little lakes are very shallow, and during the ordinary winter freeze 
nearly solid, so that little or no water remains at the bottom, but 



160 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

a little will generally be found in the middle. As a consequence 
all loose substances at the bottom adhere to the ice below, and the 
expansive power of water when freezing — which must be irampnse 
in such a large body as some of these lakes — acts equally in all di- 
rections from the center to the circumference, and annually what- 
ever was on the bottom of the lake has by this means been carried 
to the shore. This process, imperceptible, perhaps , to the casual ob- 
server in a single season, has been going on from year to year, 
century after century, causing these embankments, formerly a great 
wonder to everyone, but perfectly simple to any and all, if the va- 
rious strata of the walls be carefully examined and compared with 
each other. 

The entire State contains very few what may be classed as large 
elevations, the highest point being but a trifle over twelve hundred 
feet higher than its lowest point as shown by barometrical surveys; 
there are two such points, and are nearly three hundred miles 
apart; then if we think for a moment, it will be seen the entire 
State is traversed by gently flowing rivers — rapids nearly unknown 
— hence we have the entire State resting entirely wuthin, compris- 
ing a part of a vast plain, with no mountain or hill range within 
its limits. 

A further idea of the general uniformity which characterizes the 
State may be gleaned from the survey from point to point, and 
the following statement of the general slopes in feet per mile, in 
straight lines across: 

From the NE corner to the SE corner 1 foot 1 inch per mile. 
From the NE corner to Spirit Lake 5 feet 5 inches per mile. 
From the NW corner to Spirit Lake 5 feet per mile. 
From the NW corner to the SW corner 2 feet per mile. 
From the SW corner to the highest ridge 4 feet 1 inch per mile. 
From the dividing ridge to the SE corner 5 feet 7 inches per mile. 
From the highest point in the State to the lowest 4 feet per mile. 

This statement shows a great uniformity, and a good degree of 
propriety in estimating the whole State as part of a great plain, 
the lowest point showing but 144 feet above sea level. This point, 
nearly at the mouth of Des Moines River, presents a geological 
formation of great interest, but being so far removed from the 
territory within the scope of the work we will not discuss it in 
this connection. Taking the highest point — near Spirit Lake — 
and the lowest point — near the mouth of the Des Moines — gives 
but a slight elevation and depression, ana a general average of the 
entire State of eight hundred feet above the level of the sea, 
though from the nearest point the State is over a thousand miles 
from the sea coast, a rather remarkable instance, and another proof 
of being a part of a vast plain. Of course, Avhen we consider the 
slightly diversified surface of Western Iowa, the formation of small 
valleys out of the general level, which have been evolved by the 
action of streams, lakes, etc., during the dim cycles of the past, it 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 161 

may appear a trifle jejune, but will not alter the general and ac- 
cepted theory aforesaid. Especially is this true with reference to 
the northwestern portion, the seeming deviation being much more 
a])parent in the northeastern portion of the State. 

It will be well enough to mention that the Missouri River, 
though washing as many or more miles of Iowa's shore than the 
Mississippi, drains but about one-third of its surface, going to par- 
tially prove that this plain of which we speak, extends away out 
in Nebraska, where we have nnmistakable evidences of the Mis- 
souri having once threaded its course, the other side being the 
eastern border of the State, giving us once a vast ocean about one 
and two-thirds broader than the State. 

Thus much with reference to the surface indications. We will 
now go lower and see what can be found beneath this beautiful 
and somewhat phenomenal exterior. 

In our tests of the soil, we will make but three general divisions, 
which of themselves not only differ in their physical character, but 
are widely separated in their ultimate origin. These will be 
classed as drift, bluff, and allurial, and belong respectively to the 
deposits bearing the same names, the first of which occupies 
over two-thirds the surface of the entire State. 

Every person who has paid the least atention to any of the ana- 
lytical sciences, so-called, knows that when we speak of soil, in the 
general acceptation of the term, that we mean disintegrated or 
powdered rock. 

The drift deposit of Iowa was derived, to a considerable extent, 
from the rocks of Minnesota; but the greater part of Iowa drift 
was derived from its own rocks, much of which has been trans- 
ported but a short distance. In general terms the constant compo- 
nent element of the drift soil is that portion which was transported 
from the north, while the inconstant elements are those portions 
which were derived from the adjacent or underlying strata. For 
example, in Western Iowa, wherever that cretaceous formation 
known as the Nishnabotany sandstone exists, the soil contains 
more sand than elsewhere. The same may be said of the soil of 
some parts of the State occupied by the lower coal measures, the 
sandstones and sajidy shales of that formation furnishing the seand. 

We find upon examination, however, that in the section of Iowa 
of which this work treats, the drift contains more sand and gravel 
than any other portion of the State. There is no question in my 
mind but this was derived from the cretaceous rocks that now do, 
or formerly did exist, and also in part from the conglomerate and 
pudding stone beds of the Sioux quartzite. 

The bluft* soil, then, is that which rests upon, and constitutes 
part of the bluff deposit, and is found only in the western portion 
along the Missouri River. Chemical analysis shows but one per 
cent., generally less, of alumina, at the same time it contains other 
constituent elements which render it little, if anv. inferior for ag- 



162 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ricultural purposes; a very large portion of it is far out of reach of 
the highest floods, and must be very productive. 

We now come to the alkivial. This is that portion called the 
flood plains of the liver bottoms or valleys. That portion period- 
ically flooded by the rivers, of course, is thereby rendered com- 
paratively valueless for agricultural purposes for apparent reasons; 
but much of it, we might say by far the larger portion, is beyond 
the reach of floods, and is very rich in those elements which enter 
into plant life. 

Speaking more properly of the geology of this particular sec- 
tion of Iowa, we rind the rocks to range all along from the Azoic 
to the Merazoic inclusive. Taking the State as a whole, the sur- 
face is generally occupied by the evidences of the Palsezoic age. 
The following tabular statement gives each of these formations in 
the order in which they occur: 



SYSTEMS. 

AGES. 



GROUPS. 

PERIODS. 



Cretaceous 



r 



Carboniferous 



Devonian 

Upper Silurian. 



Lower Silurian. 
Azoic 



Post Tertiary 

Lover Cretaceous -| 

Coal Measures. -, 

Subcarboniferous. -, 



Hamilton . . . 

Niagara 

Cincinnati . 



Trenton. 



l^ Primordial. ( 
Huronian 



FORMATIONS. 

EPOCHS. 



Drift 

Inoceramous bed 

Wooclhurif Snndsione, Shales 

Nishnahotann Sandstone 

Upper Coal Measures. . . . 

Middle Coal Measures 

Lower Coal Measures 

St. Louis Limestone 

Keokuk Limestone 

Burlington Limestone 

Kiuderhook beds 

Hamilton Limestone and Shales 

Niagara Limestone 

Maquoketa Shales 

Galena Limestone 

Trenton Limestone 

St. Peter's Sandstone 

Lower Magnesian Limestone. . 

Potsdam Sandstone 

Sioux Quartzite 



10to200 

50 

180 

100 

200 

200 

200 

75 

90 

196 

175 

200 

850 

80 

250 

200 

80 

250 

800 

50 



We now arrive at what is known as the Azoic system. In this 
section it is known and recognized by the specific name of Sioux 
quartzite, and is found exposed in natural ledges, only in a few 
spots away up in the extreme northwestern part of the State, 
upon the hanks of the Big Sioux River, which position doubtless 
gave it its local name. This rock is intensely hara, disintegrates 
in sort of splinters; its color varying according to locality from 
nearly a yellow to a deep red. One thing connected with this rock 
is its process of metamorphism, which has been so complete all 
through the entire formation wherever found. Whether exposed to 



HISTORY OF lOWA^ 163 

the surface or hidden hundreds of feet below the surface, the rock 
is found to be of almost uniform texture. As far as we have been 
able to examine, the dip is found to be from 4.75 to 5.20 degrees 
to the northward, but the trend of the outcrop is to the eastward 
and westward. In some rare cases the rock is profitably c{uarried,but 
generally speaking, it is very difficult to secure it in dry forms, 
except that into which it naturally cracks, and the tendency is 
into angular places. I have found the samples sent to be absolutely 
indestructible. 

There are many other systems, of themselves very interesting to 
the scientific reader and investigator, but our limited space stands 
as an insurmountable barrier; hence we will have to pass the Lower 
Silurian system in the Primordial group of the eastern part of the 
State; it, however, is valueless for building purposes, and contains 
few if any, fossils. Then we have the Lower Magnesian Limestone, 
found but little here, containing a few crinoids and smaller fossils. 
Following this in point of interest, is the St. Peter's Sandstone, 
which exists in uniform thickness throughout the State where 
found, which is beneath the drift. 

Of the Trenton Group of the Upper and Lower Silurian age, 
but little of interest to anyone can be said, save that it contains a 
great variety of fossils, and it makes very ornamental stone for 
cap and window sills. Li this section of the State the drift con- 
tains more silex and gravel than elsewhere, as before stated, but in 
those sections where fossils are found, they are new to all I have 
read of science, open new fields of thought and investigation, and 
are found peculiar to the Hawkeye State. 

Passing again the Galena Limestone of Dubuque, and other 
counties: This is always the upper formation of the Trenton 
Group. It seldom extends over twelve miles in width, though 
fully one hundred in length. In Dubuque County the greatest 
development of this limestone is exhibited. It is found to be 
merely a pure dolomite, with an occasional slight admixture of 
silicious matter. It is almost worthless for dressing; its princi- 
pal value consisting of its formation being the source of lead ore, 
but the lead regiou of Iowa is confined to an area of say fifteen 
miles square. The one occurs in vertical fissures, which traverse 
the rock at regular intervals from east to west; some, however, is 
found in those which have a north and south course. Very small 
quantities of what is known as carbonate are found in it; its 
principal being what assayers call sulphuret of lead. 

Probably one of the most important of all the geological forma- 
tions of the State is the Coal-Measure group. This is divided into 
three formations, viz., the lower, middle and upper coal measures, 
each having a vertical thickness of about two hundred feet. 

A line drawn upon the map of Iowa as follows, will represent 
the eastern and northern boundaries of the coal fields of the State: 
Commencing at the southeast corner of Van Buren County, carry 



164 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

the line to the northeast corner of Jefferson County by a slight 
easterly curve through the western portions of Lee and Henry 
Counties. Produce this line until it reaches a point six or eight 
miles northward from the one last named, and then carry it 
northwestward, keeping it at about the same distance to the north- 
ward of Skunk River and its north branch that it had at first, un- 
til it reaches the southern boundary of Marshall County, a little 
west of its center. Then carry it to a point three or four miles . 
northeast of Eldora, Hardin County; thence westward to a 
point a little north of Webster City, in Hamilton County; and 
thence further westward to a point a little north of Fort Dodge, 
in Webster County. 

In consequence of the recedence to the southward of the borders 
of the middle and upper coal measures, the lower coal measures 
alone exist to the eastward and northward of Des Moines River. 
They also occupy a large area westward and southward of that river, 
but their southerly dip passes them below the middle coal measures 
at no great distance from the river. 

No other formation in the whole State possesses the economic 
value of the lower coal measures. The clay that underlies almost 
every bed of coal furnishes a large amount of material for potters' 
use. The sandstone of these measures is usually soft and unfit, 
but in some places, as near Red Rock, in Marion County, blocks of 
large dimensions are obtained Avhich make good building material, 
samples of which can be seen in the State Arsenal at Des Moines. 
On the whole, that portion of the State occupied by the lower coal 
measures, is not well supplied with stone. 

But few fossils have been found in any of the strata of the low- 
er coal measures, but such animal remains as have been found are 
without exception of marine origin. 

Of fossil plants found in these measures all probably belong to 
the class acrogens. Specimens of caJamites^ and several species of 
ferns are found in all the coal measures, but the genus Jipedaden- 
dron seems not to have existed later than the epoch of the middle 
coal measures. 

This formation within the State of Iowa occupies a narrow belt of 
territory in the southern central portion of the State, embracing a 
superficial area of about fourteen hundred square miles. The coun- 
ties more or less underlaid by , this formation are Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, 
Madison, Warren, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne and Appanoose. 

This formation is composed of alternating beds of clay, sandstone 
and limestone, the clays or shales constituting the bulk of the form- 
ation, the limestone occurring in their bands, the lithological pe- 
culiarities of which offer many contrasts to the limestones of the 
upper and lower coal measures. The formation is also character- 
ized by regular wave-like undulations, with a parallelism which in- 
dicates a widespread disturbance, though no dislocation of the strata 
has been discovered. 



< 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 165 

Generally speaking, few species of fossils occur in these beds. 
Some of the shales aud sandstone have aflForded a few imperfectly 
preserved land plants — three or four species of ferns, belonging to 
the genera. Some of the carboniferous shales aftbrd beautiful 
specimens of what appear to have been sea- weeds. Radiates are 
represented by corals. The moUusks are most numerously repre- 
sented. Trilobites and ostracoids are the only remains known of 
articulates. Vertebrates are only known by the remains of sala- 
chians, or sharks, and ganoids. 

The area occupied by this formation in Iowa is very great, com- 
prising thirteen whole counties, in the southwestern part of the 
State. It adjoins by its northern and eastern boundaries the area 
occupied by the middle coal measures. 

The prominent lithological features of this formation are its 
limestones, yet it contains a considerable proportion of shales and 
sandstones. Although it is known by the name of upper coal 
measures, it contains but a single bed of coal, and that only about 
twenty inches in maximum thickness. 

The limestone exposed in this formation furnishes good material 
for building as in Madison and Fremont counties. The sandstones 
are quite worthless. No beds of clay for potters' use are found in 
the whole formation. 

The fossils in this formation are much more numerous than in 
either the middle or lower coal measures. The vertebrates are rep- 
resented by the fishes of the orders selachians and ganoids. The 
articulates are represented by the trilobites and ostracoids. Mol- 
lusks are represented bj the classes cephalopoda^ gasteropoda, Jam- 
elli, hrauchiata, hrachiapoda poUjzoa. Radiates are more numer- 
ous than in the lower and middle coal measures. Protogoans are 
represented in the greatest abundance, some layers of limestone 
being almost entirely composed of their small fusiform shells. 

There being no rocks, in Iowa, of perniian, triassic or Jurassic 
age, the next strata in the geological series are of the cretaceous 
age. They are found in the western half of the State, and do not 
dip as do all the other formations upon which they rest, to the 
southward and westward, but have a general dip of their own to 
the north of westward, which, however, is very slight. Although 
the actual exposures of cretaceous rocks are few in Iowa, there is 
reason to believe that nearly all the western half of the State was 
originally occupied by them; but being very friable, they have been 
removed by denundation, which has taken place at two separate 
periods. The first period was during its elevation from the creta- 
ceous sea, and during the long tertiary age that passed between the 
time of that elevation and the commencement of the glacial epoch. 
The second period was during the glacial epoch, when the ice pro- 
duced their entire removal over considerable areas. 

It is difficult to indicate the exact boundaries of these rocks; the 
following will approximate the outlines of the area: 



166 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

From the northeast corner to the southwest corner of Kossuth 
County; thence to the southeast corner of Guthrie County; thence 
to the southeast corner of Cass County; thence to the middle of the 
south boundary of Montgomery County; thence to the mjddle of 
the north boundary of Pottawattamie County; thence to the mid- 
dle of the south boundary of Woodbury Countv; thence to Ser- 
geant's Bluft's; up the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers to the north- 
west corner of the State; eastward along the State line to the place 
of beginning. 

All the cretaceous rocks in Iowa are a part of the same deposits 
farther up the Missouri River, and in reality from their eastern 
boundary. 

Nislinahotanij Sandstone. — This rock has the most easterly and 
southerly extent of the cretaceous deposits of Iowa, reaching the 
southeastern part of Guthrie County and the southern part of 
Montgomery County. To the northward, it passes beneath the 
Woodbury sandstones and shales, the latter passing beneath ino- 
ceramus, or chalky, beds. This sandstone is, with few exceptions, 
almost valueless for economic purposes. 

The only fossils found in this formation are a few fragments of 
angiospermous leaves. 

Woodhurij Sandstones and Shales. — These strata rest upon the 
Nishnabotany sandstone, and have not been observed outside of 
Woodbury County, heil©i their name. Their principal exposure is 
at Sergeant's Bluffs, seven mi^s below Sioux City. 

This rock has no value except for purposes of common ma- 
sonry. 

Fossil remains are rare. Detached scales of a lepidoginoid spe- 
cies have been detected, but no other vertebrate remains. Of re- 
mains of vegetation, leaves of salix meekii and sassafras cretaceum 
have been occassional!}' found. 

Inocennnus beds. — These beds rest upon theWoodbury sandstones 
and shales. They have not been observed in Iowa, except in the 
Bluffs which border the Big Sioux River in Woodbury and Ply- 
mouth Counties. They are composed almost entirely of calcareous 
material, the upper portion of which is extensively used for lime. 
No building material is to be obtained from these beds; and the only 
value they possess, except lime, are the marls, which at some time 
may be useful on the soil of the adjacent region. 

The only vertebrate remains found in the Cretaceous rocks are 
the fishes. Those in the inoceramus beds of Iowa are two species 
of squoloid selachians, or cestratront, and three genera of teliosts. 
Molluscan remains are rare. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 167 

Extensive beds of peat exist in Northern Middle Iowa, which, it 
is estimated, contain the following areas: 

Counties. Acres. 

Ceno Gordo 1,500 

Worth 2 000 

Winnebago 2,000 

Hancock 1,500 

Wright 500 

Kossuth 700 

Dickinson 80 

Several other counties contain peat beds, but the character of the 
peat is inferior to that in the northern part of the State. The 
character of the peat named is equal to that of Ireland. The beds 
are of an average depth of four feet. It is estimated that each acre 
of these beds will furnish two hundred and fifty tons of dry fuel 
for each foot in depth. At present, owing to the sparseness of 
the population, this peat is not utilized; but, owing to its great dis- 
tance from coal fields and absence of timber, the time is coming 
when their value will be realized, and the fact demonstrated that 
Nature has abundantly compensated the deficiency of other fuel. 

GYPSUM. 

The only deposits of the sulphates of the alkaline earths of any 
economic value in Iowa are those of gypsum at^ and in the vicinity 
of Fort Dodge, in Webster County. All others are small and un- 
important. The deposit occupies a nearly ?entral position in 
Webster County, the Des Moines River rr^i^mg nearly centrally 
through it, along the valley sides of wh'eli the gypsum is seen in 
the form of ordinary rock cliff and led g-^i, and also occurring abun- 
dantly in similar positions along boti sides of the valleys of the 
smaller streams and of the numerous ravines coming into the river 
valley. 

The most northerly known limit of the deposit is at a point near 
the mouth of Lizard Creek, a tributary of the Des Moines River, 
and almost adjoining the town of Fort Dodge. The most southerly 
point at which it has been found exposed is about six miles, by 
way of the river, from this northerly point before mentioned. Our 
knowledge of the width of the area occupied by it is limited by the 
exposures seen in the valleys of the small streams and in the 
ravines which come into the valley within the distance mentioned. 
As one goes up these ravines and minor valleys, the gypsum be- 
comes lost beneath the overlying drift. There can be no doubt 
that the different parts of this deposit, now disconnected by the 
valleys and ravines having been cut through it, were originally 
connected as a continuous deposit, and there seems to be as little 
reason to doubt that the gypsum still extends to considerable dis- 
tance on each side of the valley of the river beneath the drift which 
covers the region to a depth of from twenty to sixty feet. 



168 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The country round about this region has the prairie surface ap- 
proximating a general level which is so characteristic of the greater 
part of the State, and which exists irrespective of the character or 
geological age of the strata beneath, mainly because the drift is so 
deep and uniformly distributed that it frequently almost alone 
gives character to the surface. The valley sides of the Des 
Moines River, in the vicinity of Fort Dodge, are somewhat abrupt, 
having a depth there from the general level of the upland of about 
one hundred and seventy feet, and consequently presents some- 
what bold and interesting features in the landscape. 

As one walks up and dowii the creeks and ravines which come 
into the valley of the Des Moines River there, he sees the gypsum 
exposed on either side of them, jutting out from beneath the drift 
in the form of ledges and bold c^uarry fronts, having almost the 
exact appearance of ordinary limestone exposures, so horizontal 
and regular are its lines of stratification, and so similar in color is 
it to some varieties of that rock. The principal quarries now 
opened are on Two Mile Creek, a couple of miles below Fort 
Dodge. 

The reader will please bear in mind that the gypsum of this re- 
markable deposit does not occur in ''heaps" or "nests" as it does 
in most deposits of gypsum in the States farther eastward, but that 
it exists liere in the form of a regularly stratified, continuous for- 
mation, as uniform in texture, color and quality throughout the 
whole region, and from top to bottom of the deposit as the granite 
of the Quincy quarries is. Its color is a uniform gray, resulting 
from alternating fine horizontal lines of nearly white, with similar 
lines of darker shade. The gypsum of the white lines is almost 
entirely pure, the darker lines containing the impurity. This is 
at intervals barely sufficient in amount to cause the separation of 
the mass upon those lines into beds or layers, thus facilitating the 
quarrying of it into desired shapes. These bedding surfaces have 
occasionally a clayey feeling to the touch, but there is nowhere 
any intercalation of clay or other foreign substance in a separate 
form. The deposit is known to reach a thickness of thirty feet at 
the quarries referred to, but although it will probably be found to 
exceed this thickness at some other points, at the natural expo- 
sures, it is seldom seen to be more that from ten to twenty feet 
thick. 

Since the drift is usually seen to rest directly upon the gypsum, 
with nothing intervening, except at a few points where traces ap- 
pear of an overlying bed of clayey material without doubt of the 
same age as the gypsum, the latter probably lost' something of its 
thickness by mechanical erosion during the glacial epoch; and it 
has, doubtless, also suffered some diminution of thickness since 
then by solution in the waters which constantly percolate through 
the drift from the surface. The drift of this region being some- 
Avhat clayey, particularly in its lower part, it has doubtless served 



HISTORY OF IOWA. ' 169 

in some degree as a protection against the diminution of the 
gypsum by solution in consequence of its partial imperviousness to 
water. If the gypsum had been covered by a deposit of sand in- 
stead of the drift clays, it would have 'no doubt disappeared by be- 
ing dissolved in the water that would have constantly reached it 
from the surface. Water merely resting upon it would not dis- 
solve it away to any extent, but it rapidly disappears under the ac- 
tion of running water. Where little rills of water at the time of 
every rain run over the face of an unused C[uarry, from the surface 
above it, deep grooves are thereby cut into it, giving it somewhat 
the appearance of melting ice around a waterfall. The fact that 
gypsum is now suffering a constant, but, of course, very slight, 
diminution, is apparent in the fact the springs of the region con- 
tain more or less of it in solution in their waters. 

Besides the clayed beds that that are sometimes seen forest upon 
the gypsum, there are occasionally others seen beneath them that 
are also of the same age, and not of the age of the coal-measure 
strata upon which they rest. 

In neither the gypsum nor the associated clays has any trace of 
any fossil remains been found, nor' has any other indication of its 
geological age been observed, except that which is afforded by its 
stratigraphical relations; and the most that can be said with cer- 
tainty is that it is nearer than the coal measures, and older than 
the drift. The indications afforded by the stratigraphical relations 
of the g3"psum deposit of Fort Dodge are, however, of considerable 
value. 

As already shown, it rests in that region directly and uncon- 
formably upon the lower coal measures; but going southward from 
there, the whole series of coal-measure strata from the top of the 
subcarboniferous group to the uppe coal measures, inclusive, can 
be traced without break or unconformability. The strata of the 
latter also may be traced in the same manner up into the Permian 
rocks of Kansas; and through this long series, there is no place or 
horizon which suggests that the gypsum deposit might belong 
there. 

Again, no Tertiary deposits are known to exist within or near 
the l3orders of Iowa to suggest that the gypsum might be of that 
age; nor are any of the palaeozoic strata newer than the subcar- 
boniferous unconformable upon each other as the other gypsum is 
unconformable upon the strata beneath it. It therefore seems, in 
a measure, conclusive, that the gypsum is of Mesozoicage, perhaps 
older than the Cretaceous. 

LITHOLOGICAL ORIGIN. 

As little can be said with , certainty concerning the lithological 
origin of this deposit as can be said concerning its geological age, 
for it seems to present itself in this relation, as in the former one 

n 



170 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

as an isolated fact. None of the associated strata show any traces 
of a double decomposition of pre-existing materials, such as some 
have supposed all deposits gf gypsum to have resulted from. No 
considerable quantity of oxide of iron nor any trace of native sul- 
phur have been found in connection with it; nor has any salt been 
found in the waters of the region. These substances are common 
in association with other gypsum deposits, and are regarded by some 
persons as indicative of the method of or resulting from their origin 
as such. Throughout the whole region, the Fort Dodge gypsum 
has the exact appearance of a sedimentary deposit. It is arranged 
in layers like the regular layers of limestone, and the whole mass, 
from top to bottom, is traced with fine horizontal lamina? of alter- 
nating white and gray gypsum, parallel with the bedding surface 
of the layers, but the whole so intimately blended as to form a solid 
mass. The darker lines contain almost all the impurity there is 
in the gypsum, and that impurity is evidently sedimentary in its 
character. From these facts, and also from the further one that 
no trace of fossil remains has been detected in the gypsum, it seems 
not unreasonable to entertain the opinion that the gypsum of Fort 
Dodge originated as a chemical precipitation in comparatively still 
waters, which were saturated with sulphate of lime and destitute 
of life; its stratification and impurities being deposited at the same 
time as clayey impurities which had been held suspended in the 
same waters. 

Much has already been said of the physical properties or charac- 
ter of this gypsum, but as it is so different in some respects from 
that of other deposits, there are yet other matters worthy of men- 
tion in connection with those. According to the results of a com- 
plete and exhaustive analysis by Prof. Emery, the ordinary gray 
gypsum contains only about eight per cent, of impurity; and it is 
possible that the average impurity for the whole deposit will not 
exceed that proportion, so uniform in quality is it from top to bot- 
tom, and from one end of the region to the other. 

When it is remembered that plaster for agricultural purposes is 
sometimes prepared from gypsum that contains as much as thirty 
per cent, of impurity, it will be seen that ours is a very superior 
article for such purposes. The impurities are also of such a char- 
acter that they do not in anyway interfere with its value for use 
in the arts. Although the gypsum rock has a gray color, it be- 
comes quite white by grinding, aud still whiter by the calcining 
process necessary in the preparation of plaster of Paris. These 
tests have all been practically made in the rooms of the Geological 
Survey, and the quality of the plaster of Paris still further tested 
by actual use and experiment. No hesitation, therefore, is felt in 
stating that the Fort Dodge gypsum is of as good a quality as any 
in the country, even for the finest uses. 

In view of the bounteoasness of the primitive fertility of our 
Iowa soils, many persons forget that a time may come when Na- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 171 

ture will refuse to respond so generously to our demand as she does 
now, without an adequate return. Such are apt to say that this 
vast deposit of gypsum is valueless to our commonwealth, except 
to the small extent that it may be used in the arts. This is un- 
doubtedly a short-sighted view of the subject, for the time is even 
now rapidly passing away when a man may purchase a new farm 
for less money than he can re-fertilize and restore the partially 
wasted primitive fertility of the one he now occupies. There are 
farms even now in a large part cf the older settled portions of the 
State that would be greatly benefited by the proper application of 
plaster, and such eras will continue to increase until it will be 
difficult to estimate the value of the deposit of gypsum at Fort 
Dodge. It should be remembered, also, that the inhabitants of an 
extent of country adjoining our State more than three times as great 
as its own area, will find it more convenient to obtain their supplies 
from Fort Dodge than from any other source. 

For want of direct railroad communication between this region 
and other parts of the State, the only use yet made of the gypsum 
by the inhabitants is for the purpose of ordinary building stone. 
It is so compact that it is found to be comparatively unaffected by 
the frost, and its ordinary situation in walls of houses is such that 
it is protected from the dissolving action of water, which can at 
most reach it only from occasional rains, and the effect of these is 
too slight to be perceived after the lapse of several j^ears. 

One of the citizens of Fort Dodge, Hon. John F. Duncombe, 
built a large, fine residence of it, in 1861, the walls of which 
appear as unaffected by the exposure and as beautiful as they were 
when first erected. It has been so long and successfully used for 
building stone by the inhabitants that they now prefer it to the 
limestone of good quality, which also exists in the immediate 
vicinity. This preference is due to the cheapness of the gypsum, 
as compared with the stone. The cheapness of the former is 
largely due to the facility with which it is quarried and wrought. 
Several other houses have been constructed of it in Fort 
Dodge, including the depot building of the Dubuque & Sioux City 
Railroad. The company have also constructed a large culvert of 
the same material to span a creek near the town, limestone only 
being used for the lower courses, which come in contact with the 
water. It is a fine arch, each stone of gypsum being nicely hewn, 
and it will doubtless prove a very durable one. Many of the side- 
walks in the town are made of the slabs or flags or gypsum which 
occur m some of the quarries in the form of thin layers. They 
are more durable than their softness would lead one to suppose. 
They also possess an [advantage over stone in not becoming slip- 
pery when worn. 

The method adopted in quarrying and dressing the blocks of 
gypsum is peculiar, and quite unlike that adopted in similar treat- 
ment of ordinary stone. Takmg a stout auger-bit of an ordi- 



172 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

nary brace, siicli as is used by carpenters, and filing the cutting 
parts of it into a peculiar form, the quarryman bores his holes 
into the gypsum quarry for blasting, in the same manner and 
with as great facility as a carpenter would bore hard wood. The 
pieces being loosened by blasting, they are broken up with sledges 
into convenient sizes, or hewn into the desired shape by means of 
hatchets or ordinary chopping axes, or cut by means by means of 
ordinary wood-saws. So little grit does the gypsum contain that 
these tools, made for working wood, are found to be better adapted 
for working the former substance than those tools are which are 
universally used for working stone. 

MINOR DEPOSITS OF SULPHATE OF LIME, 

Besides the great gypsum deposit of Fort Dodge, sulphate of 
lime in the various forms of fibrous gypsum, selenite, and small, 
amorphous masses, has also been discover-^d in various formations 
in different parts of the State, including the coal-measure shales 
near Fort Dodge, where it exists in small quantities quite inde- 
pendently of the great gypsum deposit there. The quantity of 
gypsum in these minor deposits is always too small to be of any 
practical value, and frequently minute. They usually occur in 
shales and shaly clays associated with strata that contain more or less 
sulphuret of iron (iron pyrites). Grypsum has thus been detected in 
the coal measures, the St. Louis limestone, the cretaceous strata, 
and also in the lead caves of Dubuque. In most of these cases it 
is evidently the result of double decomposition of iron pyrites and 
carbonate of lime, previously existing there; in which cases the 
gypsum is of course not an original deposit as the great one at 
Fort Dodge is supposed to be. 

The existence of these comparatively minute quantities of gyp- 
sum in the shales of the coal measures and the subcarboniferous 
limestone which are exposed within the region of and occupy a 
stratigraphical position beneath the great gypsum deposits, sug- 
gest the possibility that the former may have originated as a pre- 
cipitate from percolating waters, holding gypsum in solution 
which they had derived from that deposit in passing over or 
through it. Since, however, the same substance is found in simi- 
lar small quantities and under similar conditions in regions where 
they could have had no possible connection with that deposit, it is 
believed that none of those mentioned have necessarily originated 
from it, not even those that are found in close proximity to it. 

The gypsum found in the leai caves is usually in the form of 
efilorescent fibers, and is always in small quantity. In the lower 
coal-measure shale near Fort Dodge, a small mass was found in the 
form of an intercolated layer, which had a distinct fibrous struc- 
ture, the fibers being perpendicular to the plane of the layer. The 
same mass had also distinct, horizontal planes of cleavage at right 
angles with the perpendicular fibers. Thus, being more or less 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 173 

transparent, the mass combined the characters of both fibrous 
gypsum and selenite. No anhydrous sulphate of lime {anhydrite) 
has been found in connection with the great gypsum deposit, nor 
elsewhere in Iowa, so far as yet known. 

SULPHATE OF STROXTIA. 

{Celestine.) 

The only locality at which this interesting mineral has yet 
been found in Iowa, or, so far as is known, in the great valley of 
the Mississippi, is at Fort Dodge. ' It occurs there in very small 
quantity in both the shales of the lower coal measures and in the 
clays that overlie the gypsum deposit, and which are regarded as 
of the same age with it. The first is just beloAv the city, near 
Rees' coal bank, and occurs as a layer intercolated among the coal 
measure shales, amounting in quantity to only a few hundred 
pounds' weight. The mineral is fibrous and crystaline, the fibers 
being perpendicular to the plane of the layer. Breaking also with 
more or less distinct horizontal planes of cleavage, it resembles, 
in physical character, the layer of fibro-crystaline gypsum before 
mentioned. Its color is light blue, is transparent and shows crys- 
taline facets upon both the upper and under surfaces of the layer; 
those of the upper surface being smallest and most numerous. It 
breaks up readily into small masses along the lines of the perpen- 
dicular fibers or columns. The layer is probably not more than a rod 
in extent in any direction and about three inches in maximum 
thickness. Apparent lines of stratification occur in it, correspond- 
ing with those of the shales which imbed it. 

The other deposit was still smaller in amount, and occurred as a 
mass of crystals imbedded in the clays that overlie the gypsum at 
Cummins' quarry in the valley of Soldier Creek. Here the mineral 
is nearly without color, and were it not for the form of the sepa- 
ate crystals would closely resemble a mass of impure chloride. 
These crystals are so closely aggregated that they enclose but little 
impurity in the mass, but in nearly every case brought to my no- 
tice their fundamental forms are obscured. The mineral of itself 
is of no practical value, and its occurrence is only interesting as a 
mineralogical fact. 

Epsomite, or native epsom salts, having been discovered near 
Burlington, Ave have thus recognized in Iowa all the sulphates of 
the alkaline earths of natural origin; all of them, except the sul- 
phate of lime, being in very small quantity. Even if the sulphate 
of magnesia were produced in nature, in large quantities, it is so 
very solubie that it can accumulate only in such positions as afford 
it complete shelter from the rains or running water. The epso- 
mite mentioned was found beneath the overhanging cliff of Bur- 
lington limestone, near Starr's mill. 



ITi 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



It occurs in the form of efflorescent encrustations upon the surface 
of stones and in similar small fragile masses among the fine debris 
that has fallen down beneath the overhanging cliff. The projec- 
tion of the cliff over the perpendicular face of the strata beneath 
amounts to near twenty feet at the point where epsomite was 
found. Consequently the rains never reach far beneath it from 
any quarter. The rock upon which the epsomite accumulates is 
an impure limestone, containing also some carbonate of magnesia, 
together with a small proportion of iron pyrites in a finely divided 
condition. It is doubtless by double decomposition of these that 
the epsomite results. By experiments with this native salt in the 
office of the Survey, a fine article of epsom salts was produced, 
but the quantity that might be annually obtained there would 
amount to only a few pounds, and of course is of no practical 
value whatever, on account of its cheapness in the market. 




HISTORY OF IOWA. 175 



WOODBURY COUNTY, 



Woodbury County is situated on the western border of the State, 
in the third tier from the north line. It is twenty-four miles north 
and south, by from thirty to thirty-six miles east and west, em- 
bracing a superficial area of about 832 square miles, or 432,480 
acres. About 146,000 acres of this land is Missouri River bottom, 
of great fertility, and unsurpassed for agricultural and grazing pur- 
poses. This bottom is from six to ten miles in width and mostly 
above high water mark in the Missouri River. Although appar- 
ently nearly level, it is dry and susceptible of easy tillage. The 
soil is a deep loam, with a sufficient proportion of silicious material 
to render it retentive of moisture, while it seldom remains for any 
length of time so wet as to prevent the farmer from giving atten- 
tion to his crops. Immediately adjacent to the valleys are the 
bluffs, forming a narrow belt, usually too much broken for cultiva- 
tion, but a short distance back the land becomes gently rolling, 
and is well adapted to farming purposes. The Missouri, one of the 
great rivers of the continent, forms the western boundary of the 
county as far up as the mouth of the Big Sioux River. Thence, 
to the northwest corner, a distance of about five miles, the latter 
stream marks the Avestern boundary. The principal streams flow- 
ing through the interior are Floyd, east and west forks of the Lit- 
tle Sioux, and Maple Rivers. Perry Creek is also a stream of con- 
siderable size. Ail these streams flow through rich and beautiful 
valleys, and receive many small affluents that completely drain the 
entire surface. The Little Sioux and Floyd Rivers furnish water 
power for machinery. There is a deficiency of native timber in 
this, as in other counties of this part of the State. There are some 
groves of valuable timber, however, bordering on the Missouri and 
along the Big and Little Sioux Rivers. The varieties common are 
Cottonwood, hickory, oak, walnut, elm, and maple — the first named 
largely predominating along the Missouri River. It has been 
found that many kinds of timber may be easily propagated, and 
when planted on the prairies make a rapid growth. 

The geological formation is such as to allow but few exposures 
of rock in the county, or indeed, in this portion of Iowa. The en- 
tire surface is covered by the peculiar formation known by the 
name of "bluff deposit,'' extending to the depth of many feet. 
The bed of the Missouri River at Sioux City is 340 feet above that 
of the Mississippi at Dubuque, in the same latitude. There are at 
Sioux City, and one or two other places, exposures of a sandstone 
formation of the cretaceous age, Avith a stratum of soft, chalky 



ITo HISTORY OF IOWA. 

limestone overlying it. This is too soft for masonry, but is used 
for making quicklime. The sandstone is quarried for ordinary 
building purposes. The same formation appears on Big Sioux 
River about two miles above the mouth, and extends, with occa- 
sional exposures, to the northwest corner of the county. The sur- 
face of the "bluff deposit" is used for making brick. The clays in 
the cretaceous deposit furnish an excellent material for making 
pottery. Woodbury, however, must rely chiefly on its fertile prai- 
ries for its development into a prosperous and wealthy county. 

On the lith of May, 1804, Captains Lewis and Clarke, with for- 
ty-two men, under the direction of the AVar Department of the 
Government, started from their encamjmient at the mouth of 
Wood River, in what is now the State of Illinois, to explore the 
Missouri River and the unknown regions of the Northwest. After 
many strange adventures, and the accomplishment of a thousand 
miles of their jouriaey, on the 18th of August they landed on the 
Nebraska side of the river, nearly opposite the southwest corner of 
the present County of Woodbury, where they held a council with 
a party of Ottoe and Missouri Indian Chiefs. On the morning of 
the 20tli the Indians mounted their horses and left, having re- 
ceived some presents from the whites. On the 19th, in camp at 
the place where the council was held, Sergeant Charles Floyd, of 
the expedition, became very sick and remained so all night. The 
next morning, however, which was Monday, August 20, the party 
set out on their journey up the river. Having a "fine wind and 
fine weather," they made thirteen miles, and at two o'clock landed 
for dinner on the Iowa side of the river. Here Sergeant Flo3'd 
died. About one mile farther up the river, on the summit of a 
high bluff, his body was buried with the honors due to a brave sol- 
dier. His comrades marked the place with a cedar post, on which 
were inscribed his name and the date of his death. About one 
mile above, a small river flows into the Missouri, and here the party 
encamped until the next day. Captains Lewis and Clarke gave 
this stream the name of Floyd's River, to perpetuate the memory 
of the first man who had fallen in their expedition. The next day 
they set out early, passed the bluffs, now within the limits of Sioux 
City, which are mentioned in the journal of Patrick Class, a mem- 
ber of the expedition, as '4iandsome, pale colored bluffs." Willow 
Creek and Big Sioux River, the latter just above where Sioux City 
now stands, are also mentioned. During a great freshet in the 
Spring of 1857, the turbulent Missouri washcl away a portion of 
the bluff, so as to expose the remains of Sergeant Floyd. The 
citizens of Siojx City and vicinity collected the remains and re-in- 
terred them some distance back from the river on the same bluff". 

The title of the Indians to the land in this portion of Iowa be- 
came extinct in 1847, and in the summer of 1818, forty-four years 
after the burial of Sergeant Floyd, a single pioneer, named Wil- 
liam Thompson, settled at Floyd's Bluff — the first white man who 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 177 

became a permanent settler of the county. In the autumn of the 
same year his brother Charles and another man followed and spent 
the winter there, being, at that time the only white men in the 
county. Anticipating an immense immigration, he laid out a town 
here and named it in honor of himself — Thompsontown. Like 
other western towns, this for a while was supposed to be the point. 
To give it an air of business, and aid in its development, he erected 
here his cabin, and, on the organization of the county, in 1853, 
this Avas made the county seat. It was a sort of post for Indian 
traders for some years, but the city lots were too steep for cultiva- 
tion, or for building, and, unfortunately, there was no place for a 
landing on the bank of the river, and the stakes are all that now 
remain to mark the progress of the town. 

In may, 1849, Theophile Brughier, a native of Canada, but of 
French descent, settled at the mouth of the Big Sioux River, about 
two miles above Avhere Sioux City now stands. Three years before 
he had visited the spot and made selection of the location. In 1835, 
at the age of twenty, Brughier left Canada and went to St. Louis, 
where he had an uncle who was a member of the American Fur 
Company. Under the advice of his uncle he engaged in the ser- 
vice of the company, but remained in their employ only a short 
time, when he joined the Yankton Sioux Indians and married a 
daughter of the somewhat distinguished chief, Hu-iinn-e-ka (War 
Eagle). He became a prominent man in the tribe, and had acquired 
great influence among them. After remaining with the Indians, 
and sharing the fortunes of the tribe for some ten years, he con- 
cluded to change his manner of life, and notified the tribe of liis 
intentions. Accordingly, with his faithful Indian wife and chil- 
dren, he left the post of the American Fur Company and came 
down the river and settled, as above stated, at the mouth of Big 
Sioux River. War Eagle, the Indian father-in-law of Brughier, 
died in his house in the fall of 1851, aged about sixty-five years. 
He was a noted warrior among the Sioux, but always a friend of the 
whites. He was first recognized as a Chief of the Yankton Sioux 
by Major Pilcher, the Indian agent. About the year 1830 he was 
for some time employed as a pilot on the Upper Mississippi. His 
remains, with those of his two daughters, one of them the deceased 
wife of Mr. Brughier, noAV repose on the summit of a lofty blufii" 
on the Iowa side of the Big Sioux River, just above its mouth. 
Here are also the graves of several other Indians, as well as whites 
— eight or ten in all. From this romantic spot may be seen for 
many miles the broad winding Missouri, with its noble valley, the 
far off Blackbird Hills in Nebraska, with the intervening plains, 
islands and groves, and a portion of the rich bottom lands of Da- 
kota, stretching as far as the eye can reach between the two rivers 
toward the northwest. 

In the fall of 1841), Robert Perry, a man of somewhat eccentric 
character, but of fine education, removed from Washington, D. C, 



iiO HISTORY OF IOWA. 

and settled on the small creek which meanders through Sioux City, 
where he remained two years, and then removed elsewhere. The 
creek now bears his name. The next year Paul Pacquette located 
at the crossing of Big Sioux River, about two miles above the 
mouth. 

In the spring of 1852, Mr. Brughier sold a portion of his culti- 
vated land, including what is now a part of Sioux City, to a French- 
man named Joseph Lionais, for one thousand dollars. About this 
time some difficulty occurred with the Indians at Fort Vermillion, 
and a small number of French descended the river and made a tem- 
porary settlement in the same vicinity. After this no further perma- 
nent improvement was made until the spring of 1854, when Doctor 
John K. Cook, who had a government contract for surveying, ar- 
rived with his party. Being impressed with the eligibility of the 
place for the location of a town, and the romantic beauty of its 
surroundings, he and his party immmediately located claims. 
Among those who selected and located claims at an early day in 
the vicinity of Sioux City, was the brave General Lyon, who fell 
at Wilson's Creek. 

At the mouth of the Floyd River, Dr. Cook found encamped 
the red men of the forest, with Smutty Bear, their Chief, 
who ordered him to desist from his work vinder penalty of being 
driven from the place by his wariors, whom Smutty Bear would 
summon from the upper country. The belligerent Doctor boldly 
replied, through the interpreter, that he would go at once, if nec- 
essary, for a sufficient force to exterminate Smutty Bear and his 
band. Dr. Cook plainly told him that he had come there to make 
a survey, and he meant to complete his undertaking. The savages, 
impressed with the determination evinced by Dr. Cook, and intim- 
idated by his well-timed threatenings, struck their tepees and de- 
parted, leaving him to complete his labors uninterrupted. 

In the Winter of 1854-5, the town of Sioux City was laid out. 
Among the settlers at that time were the following: Hiram Nel- 
son, Marshall Townsley, Franklin Wixon, G. W. Chamberlain, 
and Francis Chappel. About this time the Indians became trouble- 
some, and began to steal horses, cattle and other property. Ex- 
peditions were fitted out against them, none of which, however, were 
attended with bloodshed. In the spring of 1855, Joseph Lionais 
sold his land for three thousand dollars, and on this an addition to 
Sioux City was laid out. It then contained two log cabins, but now 
comprises the principal business portion of the city. The first 
stage and mail arrived in Sioux City about the first week in Septem- 
ber of this year, a postoffice having first been established. This 
event was hailed by the settlers as the beginning of the ei'a of 
civilization. By Christmas Day there were seven log houses, two 
of them being hotels — the "Sioux City House," and the "Western 
Exchange." Two stores were opened, one of which was kept in a 
tent, and the other in a log cabin. Late in the season settlers 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 179 

came in rapidlj^ and many who could not obtain houses were 
obliged to camp out. In the Spring of 1856 the population had 
reached about 150. The land office had been opened here for pre- 
emptions, October 22, 1855, but the public lauds were not offered 
for sale until May 4, 1S5T. 

By an act of the Legislature the county seat had. 1853, been lo- 
cated at Floyd's Bluff'. In the Spring of 1850 it was removed to 
Sioux City by a vote of the citizens of the county, the majority in 
favor of removal being fourteen. The county was organized in 
1853. 

The first steamboat freighted for Sioux City was the ''Omaha," 
and arrived in June, 1856. Her freight consisted of ready framed 
houses and provisions. In July of this ye?r a steam saw mill was 
erected. Mrs. S. H. Casady and Mrs. J. R. Myers were the first 
women who spent a Winter in Sioux City. Both came in the 
Summer of 1855. The first white child born in the place was a 
daughter of S. H. Casady and wife, in 1856. 

Among transcriptions from the earliest records, we find the fol- 
lowing: 

Sergeakt's Bluffs, Woodbury County, State of Iowa: 

To the organizing Sherift' of said County: We have fixed upon the southeast 
quarter of section 1, township 88, range 4^5, west of the Fifth Principal Meridian, 
as the point for the seat of justice for the aforesaid county of Woodbury, and 
set a stake on the avenue, coming east and west between lots 131 and 97, as 
laid down in Thompson's plat ot Floyd's Bluffs, in said County, and recorded 
in the Recorder's Office of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, this 18th day of July, 
1853. Thomas L. Griffey, 

Ira Peryier, 

Commissioners. 

This appears to be a copy from the Pottawattamie County 
records. The next entry bears date of January 2, 1854, and men- 
tions that Thomas L. Griffey is allowed for services as Locating 
Commissioner $18.50, the same being Order No. 1. It would seem 
that men were scarce; for Order No. 3 is also to Thomas L. Griffey 
for services as Locating Sheriff. July 16th, 1851, Ray Harvey is 
allowed $2 for hauling a box of books from Council Bluffs City. 
These were doubtless the first permanent records kept by the 
county. By a warrant — or bond, it is called in the record, — issued 
August 10, 1851, it appears that Leonard Bates had acted as Clerk 
of Elections, and that R. E. Knox acted as the first District Clerk, 
probably Clerk of Election. 

August 12th, 1854, is the first entry bearing date of Sergeant's 
Bluffs, which appears to have been written there. This entry 
mentions that L. Bates is allowed $16.65 for services as Treasurer 
and Recorder, and is signed by M. Townsley, County Judge. On 
the same day. Lewis Cunningham is allowed $10.50 for services 
rendered as Assessor. 

The ofiicials mentioned appear to have been appointed to hold 
until the first election ; for on August 16th of the year following, 



180 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

John K. Cook giv^es his bond as County Judge; Saniuql H. Casady 
as Treasurer; M. F. Moore, Prosecuting Attorney. 

October loth this entry appears: "John R. Myers was this day 
appointed District Clerk for this county, in place of Theophile 
Brughier, suspended by the District Judge at the last term of 
District Court." The proceedings, as appears by this record, are 
mixed as to dates, as ^if some were original entries and others were 
copied from an older book. 

August 1, 1853, Thomas L. Griffey as Organizing Sheriff, ap- 
pointed OrinB. Smith Prosecuting Attorne}'^ and Eli Lee, Coroner. 
On the 30tli of the same month, Hiram Nelson gives his bonds as 
Treasurer and Recorder. 

A petition is on record, asking Orin B. Smith, County Judge, to 
call an election on the first Monday of April, 1855, to decide 
whether the county seat shall not be removed from Sergeant's 
Bluffs to Sergeant's Bluffs City. The petition is signed by twenty- 
six persons. The first seat of justice was half Avay between Sioux 
City and the present station of Sergeant's Bluffs. It is called on 
the records indifferently, Sergeant's Bluffs, Thompsontown and 
Floyd's Bluffs. 

The election removed the county capital to Sergeant's Bluffs 
City, now Sergeant's Bluffs Station, on the Sioux City & Pacific 
road, where it remained until March 3d. Here let the record un- 
der this date tell the story. 

March term of County Court of Woodbury Countv: — Met at Sioux City, there 
being no place at the county seat for hokling said court, first Monday of 
March. 

Petition of S. P. Yeomans and George Weare and others — forty-nine others — 
praying for the removal of the county seat from its present location to Sioux 
City. 

Remonstrance presented by F. E. Clark, J. D. ]\I. Crockwell and others, 
against the removal of the county seat. 

F. Chapel, Sheriff, sworn; that the notices of the presentation of the petition 
for the removal of the county seat were duly posted, according to law. 

This is all that is disclosed by the records about the locating of 
the county seat at Sioux City. When it is remembered that the 
County Judge before whom the petition for removal came, was 
John K. Cook, the founder of Sioux City, no further record is 
needed to indicate what disposition was made of the petition for 
removal. 

April 15th, 1859, Bernhard Henn, Jesse Williams, A. C. Dodge, 
and others, petition the County Judge, John K. Cook, to enter for 
them the west one-half of section 28, township 89, range 47, as a 
town-site in trust for the lot owners. This town-site in the petition 
is called East Sioux Cit}^ now part of Sioux City east addition, 
and now comprises the principal business and residence parts of 
the town. 

The present officers of Woodbury County are: J. R. Zuver, 
Circuit Judge, Fourth Judicial District; C. H. Lewis, District 
Judge, Fourth Judicial District; S. M. Marsh, District Attorney; 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 181 

Auditor, M. L. Sloan; Treasurer, John P. Allison; Clerk of Courts, 
J. H. Bolton; Recorder, Phil Carlin; Sheriff, D. McDonald; Coro- 
ner, Dr. W. 0. Davis; Superintendent of Schools, N. E. Palmer; 
Surveyor, G. W. Oberholtzer; Attor.iey, G. W. Wakefield; Insane 
Commissioners, J. H. Bolton, Isaac Pendleton, Dr. J. M. Knott; 
Supervisors, P. C'. Eberley, J. S. Horton, John Nairn, A. J. 
Weeks, D. T. Gilman. 

SIOUX CITY. 

While other cities may owe tlieir location to some accident, the 
whim of an officer locating a military post, the ambition of a pio- 
neer to have a townsite on his pre-emption, or the chance settle- 
ment of a trader, Sioux City's location was a matter of foresight 
and design by men worthy to be the founders of such a city. 

When, in the summer of 1853, John K. Cook came into this part 
of Northwestern Iowa to survey the land for the Government, he 
had instructions from an association of capitalists and politicians to 
choose for them a site for a city, to be the metropolis of this part 
of the northwest. The principal men of the association were Gen. 
G. W. Jones and A. C. Dodge, Iowa's first Senators, Bernhard 
Henn, of Fairfield, also a Congressman; his partner in the banking 
business, Jesse Williams; Daniel Rider, also of Fairfield, and Wm. 
Montgomery, a Congressman from Pennsylvania, the author of the 
famous Montgomery Compromise: John K. Cook, who surveyed 
the land for the Government; and S. P. Yeomans, afterwards Reg- 
ister of the Government Land Office at Sioux City. 

This land office was secured for the infant metropolis by the in- 
fluence of the men who founded the city, and this and the business 
and settlement it brought, forced the town rapidly ahead of its 
many competitors. 

Thompsontown, once the county seat, dwindled to a single farm 
house; Sergeant Bluffs, at first the most formidable rival, was soon 
outstripped, and the county seat that had been moved to that vil- 
lage from Thompsontown, Avas again moved to Sioux City. 

Omadi, on the Nebraska side, once thought to be the coming 
town in this part of the northwest, has been swallowed up by the 
river, and the main channel is now where the main street was; of 
St. John, another Nebraska city of the future, only two or three 
farm houses remain on the town site, that covered one thousand 
acres; Dakota City and Covington, once formidable rivals of Sioux 
City, still exist, but only as villages. Sioux City has grown and 
prospered from the first. The securing of the Government Land 
Office was followed by the city securing the headquarters for the 
government expeditions against the hostile Sioux, and afterwards 
by its becoming the terminus of railroads created by land grant 
bills. 



182 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

First its founders, and afterwards the leading men of the town, 
have been tireless in their efforts to advance the interests of the 
city. To this, even more than to its superior location, is the 
present prosperity of the cit}^ indebted. 

The population of the city has more than doubled since 187U. 
According to the official figures of the federal census taken in 
June, 1880, the population was 7,367. But to-day we can easily cal- 
culate upon 10,000 being the correct figures, for not a single busi- 
ness-house is unoccupied, and although building boomed as never 
before last season, this winter sees many begging for houses to rent 
or quarters of some kind in which to locate. The demand for ten- 
ement houses is greater than the supply, and in many cases fami- 
lies are crowded into one room, not being able to secure more avail- 
able quarters. 

The population of the county, according to the census, exclud- 
ing Sioux City, was 7,626, the whole county exceeding the town by 
259. The county is divided into twenty-two townships, and the 
population of the whole county, including Sioux City, according to 
census figures, is given as follows: 

Sioux City— First Ward 1,707 

Second Ward 2,074 

Third Ward 1,786 

Fourth Ward 1,800 

Sioux City township 480 

Arhngton township 137 

Concord township 340 

Banner township 64 

Floyd township 194 

Grange township 118 

Grant Towniship 460 

Kedron township 316 

Little Sioux township 876 

Liberty township 721 

Liston township 408 

Lakeport township 436 

Union township 597 

Moville township 117 

Willow township 242 

Rock township 250 

Rutland township 197 

Sloan township 312 

Wolk Creek township 418 

Morgan township 63 

West Fork township 286 

Woodbury township 594 

Total 14,993 

What has been said in regard to the city's population holds 
equally true of the county, outside of the city. Since the census 
enumeration many families have bought farms and settled in the 
county. In fact, the tide of immigration to Woodbury, which has 
never been greater than during the last year, did not set in until 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 1S3 

after June, and continued until cold weather set in. It is safe, 
therefore, to estimate the present population of the city and 
county at 19,000, at least. 

SIOUX city's railroad interests. 

The founders of Sioux City had not got fairly settled on their 
townsite before they began to agitate the c|uestion of secur- 
ing railroads. The location of the town seemed made by na- 
ture for a railroad center, supposing that nature contemplated 
railroads when this section of the world was made. The great 
Missouri, coming down through its wide valley, flows in a general 
easterly course and here makes an abrupt bend to the south, the 
first great change in course above Kansas City. The Big Sioux 
comes down from the north, and at its head the Ked River starts 
on its course north, the valleys of the two streams forming a nat- 
ural route for a railroad from Sioux City to the British Possessions. 
The Niobrara coming from the west flows straight toward Sioux 
City until it joins the Missouri at the first great bend above the 
city. The Floyd coming from the northeast invited a road from 
the Minnesota lumber countr}^ and afforded a route into the young 
metropolis for a road across the State, while the rock bluff that 
crops out above the town suggests a bridge site and lines beyond the 
Missouri. All these ideas were urged by the more progressive of 
the founders of the city, and, though visionary then to a common- 
place mind, have been either made realities, or are in a fair way 
to become realities. 

Sioux City was fortunate in having as a member of Congress, 
during the years in which land grants were being given to rail- 
roads, a citizen active, far-sighted and tireless, the late Judge Hub- 
bard. It was this gentleman who secured the insertion of a clause 
in the original land grant bill of the Union Pacific providing for 
a branch of this road to Sioux City, who secured the change of the 
land grant from the bankrupt Dubuque & Missouri River road to 
the Iowa Falls & Sioux City, and finally, in 1861, by the help of 
the Minnesota Congressmen, procured the passage of a bill grant- 
ing lands to the amount of 10 sections per mile to the Sioux City 
& St. Paul road. But in spite of the tempting offers of lands, and 
in the case of the Sioux City branch of the Union Pacific, of guaran- 
teed government bonds as well, nothing was done toward building 
these roads until late in 1867. 

Sioux City cO Pacific. — John I. Blair, even- then a veteran railroad 
man, in that year agreed to build the Sioux City branch of the 
Union Pacific if a modification of the line could be secured. 
What he wanted, and got, was permission to build from Missouri 
Valley north to Sioux City, a distance of 77 miles, and to build 
from Missouri Valley west, across the Missouri River to Fremont, 
a distance of 37 miles. The original bill did not contemplate any 
such line, but one crossing the River at Sioux City, and running 



184 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

southwest to a junction with the Union Pacific at Columbus. Mr. 
Blair having secured the change m the route asked) proceeded to 
build the road. Besides the land grant and government bonds, the 
wily railroader secured from Sioux Cit}' a tract of land amounting 
to about 14 acres near the business center of the town, and several 
thousand acres of swamp land from the county of Woodbury. 

The road, under the name of the Sioux City & Pacific, was finished 
so as to allow the first passenger train to run from Missouri Val- 
ley to Sioux City on March 9, 1868. The citizens were wild with 
enthusiasm, and the newspapers flamed with head lines over this 
connection with the railroad world. The year following the com- 
pletion of the Sioux City road, the Blair cut-oif, between Missouri 
Valley, on the Northwestern, and Fremont, on the Union Pacific, 
was built. This gave a connection with the Union Pacific, of 
which great things were expected; but the bridging of the Mis- 
souri at Omaha sent most of the business that way, instead of 
across the river at Blair, where a transfer boat was used. From 
Blair a branch was started up the Elkhorn Valle}', that has grown 
from year to year, until, at the close of 1881, it rested at Long 
Pine, 250 miles northwest of Blair. Surveys have been made for 
an extension from Long Pine west to the Wyoming line, and the 
line seems likely to become in reality, what it is name, a Sioux 
City and Pacific road. 

Illinois Central. — The general joy over securing the first rail- 
road, took the very practical form of a move to secure other rail- 
roads. In the Spring of 1869, Mr. Blair and his associates began 
building from Sioux City east, and from Iowa Falls west, to secure 
the land grant of the Iowa Falls & Sioux City road. That year 
the west section was built to Cherokee, and from the east as far as 
Fort Dodge. Early in the summer of 1870 the road was finished. 
It was leased to the Illinois Central, a company that has since 
operated it. The rental paid is 35 j)er cent, of the gross earnings. 

• Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha. — Fast folio 'ving 
on this road came the Sioux City & St. Paul. As has been men- 
tioned, Judge Hubbard, in 1861, when in Congress, procured a 
land grant for this project, but no work was done' until 1872, 
when the franchises having passed to the St. Paul & Sioux City 
company, the road was built from the Minnesota State line fo Le 
Mars.* There connection was made with the Illinois Central", and 
the right to run trains over that company's track to Sioux City 
secured. The year following Sioux City voted the company $20,- 
000 in consideration of establishing repair shops in the town. 
Extensive shops were built, and these have since been enlarged 
until, during the past summer, over 200 men were emplo3"ed there. 
In the Spring of 1881, the St. Paul cS: Sioux City road was con- 
solidated with various Wisconsin roads and now forms a part of 
the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railway. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 185 

The necessity of developinj:^ a system of roads in Nebraska di- 
verging from this city, was early apparent to the public-spirited 
men Avho made the town the railroad center that it is. In this, as 
in most other railroad enterprises of the town, the late Judge 
Hubbard took a leading a part. 

After much preliminary surveying and agitation, work was be- 
gun on a line from Covington to Ponca in the fall of 1876. The 
road, a narrow guage, was finished to Ponca early in 1877. Grad- 
ing was done beyond that town into Cedar county, but the com- 
pany became involved in litigation on account of the bonds issued 
by the Nebraska counties in aid of the road, and the line passed 
into the hands of a receiver. 

At the time the Ponca line was building some little grading 
was done on a line which was projected between this city and Co- 
lumbus on the Union Pacific road. This project rested with the 
resting of the Ponca line, and nothing more was done in the way 
of work on the Nebraska lines until the St. Paul & Sioux City 
accjuired possession of the different interests in the Nebraska 
roads in the fall of 1879. 

The winter following material was crossed for extensive work on 
the newly acquired road, and on the roads projected, and the next 
spring business began in earnest. The twenty-six miles of narrow 
gauge track between Covington, on the Nebraska shore opposite 
this city, and Ponca, was widened to standard gauge, and substan- 
tially rebuilt. Surveys have been made west of Ponca looking to 
an extension of this branch to Niobrara. This extension will be 
built in 1882. if a tax asked by the company be voted in Cedar 
County, which now seems probable. 

In 1880 a track was built from Coburn Junction, on the Ponca 
line, to the south 52 miles, where the end of a track extending from 
Oakland to Omaha was met. This track had previously been 
bought by the St. Paul & Sioux City Company. This line gives a 
new connection between the lumber country of Minnesota and 
Wisconsin, and the Union Pacific road. In the winter of 1881-2 
the 47 miles of track from Emei-son Junction, on the Omaha line, 
was completed to Norfolk, the railroad center of Northern Ne- 
braska. A bill recently introduced in Congress during the session 
of 1881-2, to revive the charter of the Sioux City branch of the 
Union Pacific, indicates that this line is to be extended from Nor- 
folk west to some point on the Union Pacific. 

The building of these numerous lines by the company in Ne- 
braska will, at an early day, make necessary a bridge at this city. 
Soundings were made as early as 18(59, and bed rock suitable for 
the foundation of bridge piers was found at depths ranging from 
30 to 50 feet below low water mark. The range of bluffs that 
comes to the river edge in the west part of the city, forms a con- 
venient approach on one side, which is all that any bridge site on 
the Missouri offers. The building of a bridge, which cannot be 

12 



186 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

delayed for more than a year or two, will do much to fix the busi- 
ness of Northern Nebraska at this city. During 1881, the com- 
pany has, in a measure, prepared for an increase in the Nebraska 
business by building nearly four miles of side track in the city, 
and by the purchase of depot grounds, at an expense of $20,000 
near the business center of the town. A survey has been partially 
made between LeMars, where the company's track joins that of 
the Illinois Central, to this city, and there is good assurance that 
the company will build this track in 1882. 

Right here it may be in order to speak of the company's land grant, 
some 20,000 acres of which, lying in this county and in Plymouth 
county, is in dispute, unfortunately, and so cannot be sold to set- 
tlers until the question between the State and the company is 
settled. The company has built 57^ miles of road in Iowa, which 
fact has been duly certified by the Governor to the General Gov- 
ernment, and the land at the rate often sections per mile has been 
turned over to the State in trust for the railroad company. The 
State has, in turn, certified the land grant of 50 miles of road to 
the company. The lands for the other 7i miles the State holds, 
claiming that the road was entitled to it only as sections of ten 
miles of road were completed, and the showing of tae Railroad 
company was that the last section lacked 2h miles of being ten 
miles long. The company holds that as the General Goverment 
has waived the ten-mile point, and certified the lands to the State 
for the use and benefit of the company the State should certify 
the lands for the T-^- miles of road built to the company. Meantime 
the State holds the lands in abeyance, and settlement is kept out. It 
would require only a part of the land thus held by the State to give 
the company the ten sections per mile for the 7^ miles built and un- 
subsidized. There is also a question between the St. Paul and the 
Milwaukee companies as to the ownership of about 185,000 acres of 
land in the vicinity of the crossing poim of the two roads. This 
land is now being sold, and both companies join in giving title, 
and agree that the company that wins in the courts shall have the 
money for the disputed lands sold. If this dispute is settled in 
favor of the Milwaukee Company, it will take all the lands in dis- 
pute between the State and the St. Paul Company to make good 
the land grant of that Company. 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. — The first spike on the track 
leading from Sioux City to Yankton was driven in this city Aug. 
12. 1872, and the track was finished to Yankton on the 28th of 
January following. This road is noticeable as the first built in this 
part of the west without a land grant. The construction com- 
pany, Wicker & Meckling, of Chicago, obtained a tax from Sioux 
City, voted the Sioux City & Pembina road, and it w^as under 
this name that the road was built as far as the Big Sioux bridge. 
They also obtained $200,000 in bonds from Y^'ankton County, and 
a lesser amount from stations along the route. This was the first 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 187 

track in Dakota, south of the Northern Pacific, except a few miles 
built across the line near where Watertown now is, but abandoned 
after the land tyrant was secured. It had long been a favorite 
plan of the public spirited men of this city to build a road north, 
up the Big Sioux Valley, and the Sioux City & Pembina was or- 
ganized in 1871 for this purpose. The leading spirit, asin most 
other railroad projects in these parts, was Judge Hubbard. The 
year following the organization, taxes were voted in aid of the road 
by Sioux City township and by the townships in the west part of 
Plymouth County, and some grading was done. But the financial 
crisis of 1873 coming on, work was suspended. In 1875 the 
owners of the track between Sioux City and Yankton began work 
at Davis Junction on a road up the Big Sioux Valley, and 
that year completed sixteen miles to Portlandville. In 1878 the 
road was finished to Beloit, and in December, 1879, the track was 
laid into Sioux Falls. It was in the spring of this year, 1879, that 
John 1. Blair reappeared on the railroad stage, after several years 
absence, and bought what he supposed was a contr>/lling interest 
in the Yankton and Sioux Falls lines. At his suggestion the two 
were consolidated into the Sioux City & Dakota Railway. In the 
summer of 1880 the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Com- 
pany bought Mr. Wicker's interest in the Sioux City & Dakota 
road, and after a tedious litigation Mr. Blair sold his interest to 
the same company. The addition of a third road to Chicago by 
this purchase was hailed with enthusiasm by our business men. 
The connection, opening up as it does to the trade of the city, the 
best part of Southeastern Dakota and Northern Iowa, has been a 
great advantage, while as an eastern connection the new^ line has 
done much to bring the freight rate down to a point that enabled 
our wholesale dealers to compete with those of Omaha and St. 
Paul. During the past year, 1881, the company has completed 
its line up the Big Sioux Valley, from Sioux Falls to Flandrau, 
where connection is made with the company's Southern Minuesota 
division, and has partly graded a line from Yankton to Scotland, 
which when ironed, will give our dealers a direct line to the lower 
Jim River Valley. But the work that promised to be of most ad- 
vantage to the city is the line surveyed southeast, ninety miles, to 
a connection with the company's new main line, that during 1881 
was nearly completed between Marion and Council Bluffs. This 
line when built, as it is likely to be in 1882, will not only open up 
a new section to the trade of our city, but will give a shorter track 
between Sioux City and Chicago. Some steps have been taken to- 
ward securing shops of this company at this city, but nothing de- 
finite has as yet been assured. 

Railroad Frobabilities. — These are the railroad lines to which 
Sioux City owes her importance as a commercial center. There 
are besides several roads to get, which may be briefly mentioned: 
The Iowa Railroad Land Company, the owners of the Maple Val- 



1S8 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

ley branch of the Chicago & Northwestern, put a party of engi- 
neers in the fiekl in December, 1881, to make a survey for a line 
between Sac City, the terminus of a spur of the branch mentioned, 
to Sioux City. There is good assurance that a part of this line, 
at least, will be built in 1882, and that the line will eventually be 
extended to a connection with the company's system of roads in 
Dakota. The Wabash, in the Summer of 1881, leased the Des 
Moines & Northwestern, a narrow gauge road running north- 
west from Des Moines. Late in the year the company secured an 
old roadbed and right of way from Rockwell City to Sac City, and 
there is the autliority of the President of the Narrow Gauge Road 
for saying that it is to be extended either to Sioux City or Sioux 
Falls. The branch of the St. Paul Road that now extends down 
the Rock River to Doon, it is hoped, will be extended south to 
Sioux City, and an effort is being made to have the 20,000 acres of 
disputed land grant mentioned diverted to the aid of this extension. 
The St. Paul and the Sioux City & Pacific, together, have planned 
to extend from Fremont to Lincoln, and this Nebraska line, of the 
greatest usefulness to Sioux City, is likely to be built during 1882. 
Most important of all the expected lines, is the Central Pacific. 
DurinsT 1881, this company had a preliminary survey made between 
Corinne, near its eastern terminus, to the mouth of the Niobrara 
River. The short and natural route for a road coming down the 
Niobrara Valley, seeking a Chicago connection, is to cross the Mis- 
souri River at Sioux City. A letter written by Vice President 
Huntington of this road to one of our citizens says, that the Cen- 
tral Pacific will be extended from Corinne to some point on the 
Missouri River not yet determined on. As Sioux City presents 
a good bridge site, and is on the most direct route, there is a rea- 
sonable certainty that she will secure this prize. With the roads 
already built into this city, neither the Central Pacific, nor any 
other road, can afford to come within reaching distance of Sioux 
City and not send in a line. 

BOATIXG BUSINESS. 

The first steamboat came up the Missouri to Sioux City in the 
Spring of 1856. The river route was then the only one open for 
the bringing in of heavy freight; and the material for a number 
of residences and business houses, and several stocks of goods came 
in on this first boat. With the settlement of the country around 
the city, came a demand from the military posts and mining camps 
further up the river, for any surplus produce marketed in the city, 
and orders for goods began to be sent down to Sioux City. The 
up-river business of the city grew steadily, and new boats were 
added every year to the carrying trade. The opening of the rich 
mines in the Black Hills greatly increased this business, and there 
has been a steady increase in the amount of grain, pork and mer- 
chandise sent from the city to points further up the Missouri. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 189 

Sioux City is the headquarters of the Peck line of boats, which 
line comprises the steamers C. K. Peck, Nellie Peck, Terry, Peni- 
nah, Meade, and Far West. The Benton line, Coulson line and 
Kountz line of boats also find much profitable freight at this city. 
Costly experience has proved to the satisfaction of river men that 
the winter harbor here is the safest on the upper river, and num- 
bers of the river steamers are put on the ways at this city for re- 
pair every winter. 

Many of Sioux City's business, men are interested in stock rais- 
ing, mining, the fur trade, and other up-river enterprises, and their 
connection with the "up-country" forms a bond of union of great 
help to the trade of the city. Several hundred thousand bushels 
of corn and oats are sent every summer to points further up the 
Missouri, and more than half the immense out-put of the pork 
packing establishment finds a market in the same quarter, while 
the growth of the wholesale trade of our merchants in these parts 
has kept steady pace with the growth of this newest portion of the 
new Northwest. 

Daring the winter of 1878, Congress made an appropriation for 
the improvement of the river, and the protection of the levee at 
Sioux City, and has, each subsequent winter, made further appro- 
priations for carrying on the work. The first systematic attempt 
to prevent the encroachment of the river on our levee was made 
during the Summer of 1879, by Major Yonge, of the United States 
Engineer Corps. The work has been carried on every season since . 
with results, on the whole, satisfactory. The banks on either side 
now appear to be permanently fixed, and much valuable data has 
been obtained that will be of use when the improvement of the en- 
tire river below Sioux City is attempted, by government, as it evi- 
dently will be in the near future, 

THE KEWSPAPERS. 

. The press of Sioux City has been an important factor in the up- 
building of the city, and no other single agency has contributed 
more to make the city what it is. It has ever been said, that a 
town may be judged by the character of its newspapers. If this 
be true, Sioux City can make an excellent showing, as no city in the 
State of its size has as many or as good newspapers as are published 
here. To-day, it has one morning, two evening and three weekly 
journals, all well supported. 

The pioneer newspaper of Sioux City, as well as of Woodbury 
County, was called the Sioux Citi/ Eagle^ and the first number was 
issued July 4th, 1857, with S. W. Swiggett as editor and proprie- 
tor. It was independent in politics, and for those days, a sprightly, 
well conducted sheet. Its publication was continued for nearly 
three years, when it passed out of existence. 

The next newspaper venture was made by F. M. Ziebach. 
The August previous, he, in conjunction with J. N. Cum- 



190 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

mings, under the firm name of Cummings & Ziebach, began the 
publication of the Western Independent — independent in politics — 
at Sergeant's Bluffs, eight miles south of Sioux City. It was reg- 
ularly published until the following July, when Mr. Ziebach pur- 
chased his partner's interest in the paper, and removed the mate- 
rial to Sioux City, which, even then, gave promise of being the 
metropolis of the Northwest; and on July 22d, 1858, gave to Sioux 
City its second weekly newspaper, the Sioux Citi/ Register. With 
the change of name also came a change in politics, the Register 
being the first to champion Democracy in Northwestern Iowa. 

In 1859 William Freney purchased an interest in the paper, and 
the year following it was consolidated with the Eagle. The Begis- 
ter was continued under the management of Ziebach & Freney un- 
til 1862,when Mr. Ziebach withdrew, leaving Mr. Freney to continue 
it alone, which he did until 1871, when its publication was suspended. 

Shortly after the consolidation of the Fegister and Eagle, in 
1860, Pendleton & Swiggett started the Sioux City Times — Re- 
publican in politics. It survived only a few mouths. 

Three years later, another attempt was made, by J. C. Stillman, 
to establish a Ilepublican paper. The Sioux City Journal, but it 
ceased to exist befcre the publication of a dozen numbers. August 
29th, 1864, it was resuscitated, under the editorial management of 
J. V. Baugh, and its publication has been continued uninter- 
ruptedly ever since, though it has passed through many trying 
.ordeals, with several changes in its management. 

In October of the same year, S. T. Davis, then Register of the 
Land Office, succeeded Mr. Baugh as editor, but only remained in 
charge until the close of the Presidential campaign in 1804, when 
the paper passed into the hands of Mahlon Gore, a brilliant writer 
and an accomplished journalist. In 1868, B. L. Northrup pur- 
chased an interest in the paper, but retired in a short time, leaving 
Mr. Gore to continue it alone, which he did until May 1st, 1869, 
when he disposed of it to George D. Perkins, who has been its 
editor ever since. 

The following January, H. A. Perkins bought an interest in the 
paper, and the firm of Perkins Brothers was formed, and con- 
tinued until July, 1875, when H. A. Perkins retired; but after an 
absence of nearly two years, he returned; the firm name of Per- 
kins Brothers was restored, and continues to the present time. 

In 1870 a morning edition was issued from the office, and has 
appeared regularly ever since. Tlie Daili/ Journal has grown and 
strengthened with its years, until to-day it ranks with the fore- 
most papers of the State. It is a handsome, nine-column folio, 
printed on a press of the latest pattern, and has a large and in- 
creasing circulation. The mechanical execution is in the highest 
style of the art. Its editor, George D. Perkins, is a polished, con- 
scientious and able writer, and a gentleman who has a high ideal 
of journalism. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 191 

• The Journal bnildiiif^ is a fine establishment, and the whole 
enterprise is an illustration of what may be accomplished by 
talent and energy, directed by sound financial ability and good 
management. Few papers have achieved a more decided and per- 
manent success, than The Sioux Citij Journal, in the hands of its 
present proprietors, and, it may be added, none are more deserving 
of the grand success they have won, as they have built up an in- 
stitution of which Sioux City may well feel proud. 

In May, 1869, a stock company began the publication of the 
Daily and WeeMy Times, a journal neutral in politics, with 
Charles Collins as the editor. In a short time Mr. Collins became 
sole proprietor, changing the publication from a morning to an 
evening paper. In 1872, the daily edition was discontinued, but 
the weekly was maintained until 1871, Avhen it was purchased by 
Warner Sc Gore, made Democratic in politics, and the name changed 
to the Sioux City Tribune, under which name it has been con- 
tinued until the present time, though many changes have occurred 
in its management. At the close of the Presidential campaign, in 
1876, Mr. Warner retired, being succeeded by C. E. ISmead, the 
style of the firm becoming Gore & Smead. August, 1877, Mr. 
Oore left the paper, because of ill health, Mr. Smead continuing 
its publication until December 6th of the same year, when Albert 
Watkins purchased an interest, and assumed editorial manage- 
ment. May 1st, 1879, Mr. Watkins bought his partner's interest, 
and continued the publication of the paper alone until July 1st, 
1880, when he disposed of it to John C. Kelley, its present editor 
and proprietor. X^ie Tribune is a six-column quarto, well printed, 
ably edited, and is on a solid financial footing, with a rapidly in- 
creasing business. It is an unfaltering advocate of Democracy, 
and the recognized organ of the party in the Northwest. 

There is also issued from the Tribune office the Anpao, a monthly 
journal, in the Sioux dialect, in the interests of the Niobrara Mis- 
sion. It is edited by Rev. Joseph W. Cook, and Rev. J. W. Cleve- 
land, and published under the management of James R. Fraser. 

The only German paper ever published here is the Sioux City 
Weekly Courier, which madeits first appearance in 1870, under 
the management of Wetter & Danquard. After a short time, Mr. 
Wetter purchased his partner's interest and continued it alone for 
a few months, when he disposed of it to Dr. C. J. Krejci. Subse- 
quently the paper passed into the hands of Chas, F. Schroeder, 
who, however, sold it to Herman Schorning. Mr. Schorning con- 
tinued it until it became the property of its present publisher, Fred- 
erick Barth, in November. 1877. The Courier is Democratic in 
politics, under its present management, is well conducted, the only 
German paper in this section, and has a wide circulation. 

The Cosmopolite, a sixteen-page monthly, was established by D. 
H. Talbot July 1st, 1879, and continued for two years. It was is- 



192 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

sued mainly in the interest of private enterprises, but contained 
much matter of general interest. 

In August, 1881, Charles Collins commenced the Sioux City Daily 
Times, an evening sheet, independent in politics. The Times is a 
sprightly six-column folio, devoted to local news, and rapidly estab- 
lishing itself on a firm footing. Its editor and proprietor, Mr. 
Charles Collins, is a veteran journalist and a ready and forcible 
writer. 

Two weeks after the first issue of the Daily Times, another can- 
didate for public favor made its appearance, the Sioux City Daily 
Netvs, published by Watkins & Jay. Like its contemporary, The 
Times, it is a six-column folio, independent in politics, but with 
Democratic tendencies. 

The Sioux City Grocer, established in 1881, is a handsome 
monthly, published by E. C. Palmer & Co., and issued in the in- 
terest of the grocery trade. 

In August, 1877, Alex. Macready began the publication of the 
Industrial Press, a weekly newspaper, advocating the Greenback 
doctrine. It was continued about a year, when it ceased to exist. 

The Sioux City Gazette was commenced by R. Goldie & Son., 
December 1st, 1877, but after a few issues suspended publication. 

PORK PACKING. 

Pork packing was begun, in a small way, in Sioux City, in the 
winter of 1872-3. The building occupied was a small wooden affair 
on Water street above Fifth. That season H. D. Booge & Co. 
killed 5,000 hogs. The experiment was a success, and the follow- 
ing summer a large brick building was put up on the site of the 
frame one, where the business first started. Additions to this 
building were made from year to year, until its capacity was in- 
creased to 500 hogs per day, and there was no room for further ex- 
tensions. In the spring of 1881, work was begun on the pork 
house now occupied in the east part of the city. The site is all 
that could be wished. The Floyd furnishes drainage, and the 
nearness to railroads allows the cars of the different lines center- 
ing at the city to deliver hogs directly into the yards beside the 
packing house, and to load the manufactured product directly from 
the storage rooms into the cars. There is plently of ground, 
some fourteen acres of city lots having been bought. The new 
building cost over f?100,000, and more than a million and a half 
of brick were used in its building. It is pronounced by competent 
judges the most complete structure of the kind in the State. The 
ice is run directly from the Floyd River into the great 6,000 ton 
ice house. For summer packing this ice in skidded from the ice 
house into the refrigerator that occupies an entire story of the 
main building. A steam elevator connects the different floors. 
In the fertilizer room, the parts that would otherwise go to Avaste, 
are worked over into an odorless powder that is in demand for 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 193 

enriching the worn-out fields of the east. Every part of the de- 
funct porker is utilized, from the tough terminus of the snout, to 
the brush of bristles that beautifies the tip of the tail. The house 
has a capacity of 1,000 hogs per day, the capacity being measured 
by the hanging capacity. This has been found insufficient for the 
hogs offered, and the coming season an addition will be built that 
will increase the capacity about 50 per cent. 

The firm conducting the business of Jas. E. Booge & Co., consists 
of Jas. E. Booge, of Sioux City, and John L. Merriam, A. H. 
Wilder and Wm. R. Merriam, of St. Paul. The first named gen- 
tleman has been connected with the business from the first, and 
the three others for several years. As appears from the report 
made to the Board of Trade, the pork house had, during the two 
months ending January 1st, 1882, killed 37^000 hogs, and paid for 
these $580,000. The labor bills during this time footed up $14,000 
and the pay roll shoAved 188 men employed. 

No other business in Sioux City does so much to advertise the 
name of the town. The hams made can be found on hotel tables 
from Chicago to San Francisco. The side meat goes mostly to the 
south, Memphis, New Orleans and Mobile being the principal 
points of sale. The lard goes to Chicago and the bacon finds a 
ready market all over the west, the heaviest demand coming from 
the mining camps and military posts of the Upper Missouri. The 
Sioux City Pork house has a practical monopoly of supplying hog 
products to the military posts in the northwest, having, during 
the past year, secured more than eighty per cent, of the contracts 
let. The position of the town as a railroad center, in the midst of 
one of the best corn growing sections of the Union, makes the 
steady supply of swine certain, and the exceptional advantages for 
the distribution of the product, allows prices to be paid that while 
renumerative to the hog grower, leaves a fair margin of profit to 
the packer. 

THE CITY LIBRARY. 

There is nothing perhaps that speaks higher for the culture and 
enterprise of the city, than its valuable Public Library and Read- 
ing Room. Both are well patronized and supported. About two 
thousand well selected volumes are on the shelves, and mostly all 
the popular magazines and leading newspapers of the country, re- 
ligious and secular, are kept on file. The Library is a large and 
pleasant room, situated in the City Hall, on one of the leading 
business streets. Miss Helen Smith is at present, and has been 
for some years past, the Librarian. 

FOUifDRY AND MACHINE SHOPS. 

The Sioux City Foundry and Machine Shop, is the pioneer 
manufacturing establishment of the city. Started in 1871, in a 
small way, and doing Avork only of the simplest kind, it has grown 



194 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

with the city, until now its buildings extend over several acres of 
ground, and its manufactures embrace everything in the different 
branches of the business, from the plain castings in iron and brass, 
to the building of heavy machinery for steamboats, saw mills, 
cjuartz mills, planing mills, etc. As the growth of the city and 
the wants of the trade demanded, new buildings with the required 
machinery, have been added, from time to time, until the works 
are now undoubtedly the largest and most complete of the kind in 
the West. The main building is of brick, two stories high, with 
a frontage of 120 feet. There is also an extensive boiler shop, de- 
tached from the main building, 70 by 80 feet. The works give 
employment to 40 men, and their trade extends throughout the 
Northwest, even reaching to the Black Hills. The establishment 
is in every way creditable to Sioux City, as well as to the country 
tributary. 

Flow I['o>7.-s. — The broad and liberal policy of the citizens of 
Sioux City towards manufacturing enterprises of merit, is in strik- 
ing contrast with the narrow, selfish course of many western cities. 
At all times they have been ready and willing to extend a helping 
hand to any enterprise that would add to the material wealth 
and advance the interests of the cit}^ and the man}'^ manufacturing 
industries that have located here of late demonstrate, beyond c[ues- 
tion, that the policy which has been pursued is the only true one, 
and one that will ultimately place Sioux City in the front rank of 
the manufacturing towns of the State. 

The Board of Trade, of which appropriate mention is made else- 
where, has performed an important part in attracting many desir- 
able manufacturers hither, and among the first brought here, 
through its influence, was the Sioux City Plow Company, an insti- 
tution of which the city feels justly proud. In May, 1880, a stock 
company of practical mechanics was organized under the above 
name, and commenced the erection of a suitable building for the 
manufacture of plows, and in the following September the first 
plow was turned out. The next season, their goods were placed 
upon the market and immediately sprang into public favor; and 
though the works have a capacity of fifty finished plows per day, 
so great has become the demand that the company has not been 
able to fully meet the requirements of its trade, and an increase in 
the building capacity of the works has become an imperative ne- 
cessity. The Sioux City Plow is made with special reference to its 
adaptability to the peculiar soil of this section, and possesses many 
points of superiority over those of Eastern manufacture. The 
works of the company, situated in the southeastern part of the 
city, are substantial, two-story brick buildings, supplied with all 
the necessary machinery for the turning out of first class work. 

THE GAS WORKS. 

Long before Sioux City had a population of five thousand souls 
her streets were lighted with gas. Through the untiring energv 



HISTORY OF IOWA. ' 195 

and public spirit of a few of her leadin^^ citizens, in February, 1872, 
the Sioux City Gas Liglit Company was incorporated with an 
authorized capital of $100,000. D. T. Hedges was President, 
George Weare, Treasurer, and John P. Allison, Secretary. A sub- 
stantial brick building was soon erected, and on the evening of 
March 17th, 1873, the city was illuminated by gas, the event being 
duly celebrated. It was not expected by the projectors of the en- 
terprise, that the works in a town like Sioux City then was, would 
be self-sustaining; but they had an abiding faith in its future. 
Time has demonstrated that their confidence was not misplaced. 
The hazardous venture of ten years ago, is now a paying in- 
vestment. The city has always lent the company a helping hand, 
and encouraged and fostered it with its patronage, oftentimes when 
its finances would hardly justify the outlay. The works, are now 
operated by private parties, under a lease from the incorporators 
of the company. About three million feet of gas is made annually, 
of which the city is a large consumer, all the leading thorough- 
fares being lighted by gas. 

SIOUX CITY BOARD OF TRADE. 

During the autumn of 1872, the first Citizens' Association, for 
the general advancement of the business and manufacturing in- 
terests of the city was formed. The first meeting for the forma- 
tion of this association was held November 21st, 1872, at the 
court room, which was at that time in the Hubbard block, on 
Fourth street. It was called by the Mayor, G. W. Kingsnorth. 
Hon. A. W. Hubbard introduced the following resolution, which 
was unanimously adopted: 

^'Resolved, That this meeting is in favor of organizing an association, the 
object of which shall be to induce manufactures to come to this place." 

A provisional board was appointed; also committees to draft a 
constitution, by-laws, and for procuring members. 

December 9th the committee reported a constitution, which was 
adopted; and that they had secured 221 names for membership. 
The name this association adopted was " The Sioux City Cham- 
ber of Commerce." 

January 18th, 1873, the following officers were elected for the 
year: President, J. C. Flint; First Vice-President, A. W. Hub- 
bard; Second Vice-President, S. T. Davis; Directors, J. H. Swan, 
M. C. Bogue, J. J. Saville, L. C. Sanborn, C. E. Hedges, A. Gronin- 
ger, J. P. Dennis, E. W. Skinner, A. R. Wright, H. L. Warner. 
Board of Arbitration, J. C. C. Hoskins, W. L. Joy. L. Wynn, J. 
E. Booge, L. McCarty; Secretary, F. C. Thompson. Treasurer, 
J. M. Pinckney. 

During the year the organization secured the location of Joseph 
Trudell's wagon shop; entertained the St. Paul Chamber of Com- 
merce on its visit to Sioux City, September 10th; published a 



196 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

twenty-four page pamphlet, containing statistics and description 
of the city, and did h good deal of miscellaneous work toward se- 
curing railroads, Government improvement of river, etc. 

In January, 1874, the following officers were elected for the 
year: President, J. C. C. Hoskins; First Vice-President, J. H. 
Swan; Second Vice-President, L. C. Sanborn; Directors, James E. 
Booge, Thomas J. Stone, William R. Smith, Joseph Schulien,L. 
McCarty, James M. Bacon, E. B. Crawford, George W. Kings- 
north, E. E. Lewis, C. J. Kathrens. Committee on Arbitration, 
W. S. Joy, H. L. Warner, D. T. Hedges, J. C. Flint, A. W. 
Hubbard. F. C. Thompson was re-elected Secretary, and J. M. 
Pinckney, Treasurer. 

This organization — The Chamber of Commerce — was quite ac- 
tive during the year in working up the material interests of the 
city; but a c[uorum of members did not respond to the call for the 
annual meeting of 1875, and the officers previously elected held 
over. 

In October, 1877, the merchants of Sioux City met and formed 
the Merchants Exchange, and the following officers were elected 
for the year: President, J. M. Bacon; Vice President, L. C. San- 
born; Secretary, E. H. Bucknam; Treasurer, A. C. Davis; Direc- 
tors, H. L. Warner, H. A. Jandt, E. W. Rice, F. L. Goewey, 

During the year, the subject of cheap ferriage to Covington, the 
adjusting of railroad freights and the commercial interests of Sioux 
City in general, had the attention of the Exchange with marked 
success. They raised by voluntary subscriptions ^1, 929.60 during 
the year, and paid to secure cheap ferriage, ^1,500. 

In October, 1878, the following officers were elected for the 
year: President, J. M. Bacon; Vice President, E. C. Tompkins: 
Secretary, E. W. Bucknam; Directors, H. L. Warner, H. A. Jandt, 
M. W. Murphy. S. Schulein, F. L. Goewey. 

In October, 1879, the following officers were elected: President, 
H. A. Jandt; Vice President, M. W. Murphy, Secretary, E. G. 
Burkam, Jr.; Treasurer, A. C. Davis; Directors, J. M. Bacon, 
William Tackaberry, F. L. Goewey, W. H. Livingston, G. H. 
Howell. 

During the year, the Exchange, in addition to other important 
work, raised quite a boom for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad towards the purchase of depot grounds. 

The officers elected October, 1879, hekl over until July, 1881, 
when the exchange was reorganized, the name changed to the 
Sioux City Board of Trade, its scope extended so as to include as 
eligible to membership all citizens of Sioux City and to embrace 
in its work the securing of manufactories. The following officers 
were elected for the balance of the year: President, H. A. Jandt; 
Vice President, John Hornick; Treasurer, A. S. Garretson; Secre- 
tary, E. W. Skinner; Directors, F. H. Peavev. H. A. Perkins, W. 
H. Beck, F. L. Goewey,E. C. Palmer, Geo. H.Howell, J. P. Dennis. 



HISTORY OF lOW.V. 197 

In November, 1S81, the following officers were elected: Pi-esi- 
dent, F. H. Peavey; Vice President, John Hornick; Treasurer, A. 
S. Garretson; Secretary, E. W. Skinner; Directors, H. A. Jandt, F. 
L. Goewey, E. C. Palmer, W. H. Livingston, W. H, Beck, H. A. 
Perkins, R. S. Van Keuren. 

During the first six months of the new organization, the Board 
of Trade has aided in securing for the city several important ad- 
ditions to its industrial and mercantile institutions, among Avhich 
may be mentioned, a button factory, a chemical paint and color 
works, a branch of R. G. Dun & Oo's Commercial agency, Cum- 
mings, Smith & Co.'s large wholesale boot and shoe house, a branch of 
the Consolidated Oil Tank Line Company; a United States Express 
Company's office, an iron pump factory, chemical works, increased 
telegraph facilities, and has in prospect a paper mill, a tlax, twine 
and bagging mill, and several other industries. 

The subject of railroad extensions, and increased rail facilities, 
and the improvement of the Missouri River by the Government, 
have also had consideration. 

BUSINESS TRANSACTED. 

The following extracts are taken from the JoiirnaVs last annual 
review of the city's business acchievements: 

"During the year 1881, Sioux City merchants and dealers sold 
goods to the value of $6,4:27,626, giving employment to 412 per- 
sons, who received for salaries §197,425. These figures can be ac- 
cepted as being as nearly correct as it is possible to give them, and 
if they err at all, it is in being too small, and that they are too 
small is clearly indicated by the amount of exchange sold by our 
three banks during the past year, as per figures furnished the 
Board of Trade, which was $10,256,127.02. 

"It may also be stated that several dealers refused to state the 
amount of their business, and as no estimated figures are given, it 
must be evident to all that the total of $6,427,626 falls far short 
of naming the full volume of business. It Avould probably not be 
an exaggeration to place Sioux City's merchandise sales in 1881 
at fully $8,000,000. 

MANUFACTURING. 

'"This branch of industry is yet in its infancy in Sioux City, and 
yet, a very flattering showing is made, the value of manufactured 
articles in 1881 reaching a value of $1,189,050, in the production 
of which 555 persons found employment, and who received for 
wages $237,410. In these figures are not included the business of 
the St. Paul machine shops, which give employment to hundreds 
of men, and pay out many thousands of dollars for wages. Nor 
do they include the immense transactions at the new pork-house, 
which, during the two months it has been in operation, has killed 
37,000 hogs, bought at a cost of $580,000,and w^hich, during the 



198 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

time, has also paid out $36,000 for packing material, which includes 
cooperage, etc., and $14,000 for wages. This establishment has 
188 men now on its pay-roll. Several new manufacturing enter- 
prises have been started here this fall, others are projected with a 
certainty of their being put in operation, and another year Sioux 
City can make a much larger showing in this direction. 

THE BUILDING RECORD. 

''The opening of a late spring found Sioux City almost destitute 
of building material. The wrecking of the railroads by the spring 
floods delayed its arrival, so that it was nearly the middle of May 
before much progress was made in building. When this material 
did arrive, our contractors took hold of the work with a will. 

"Our building record this year, in its sum total, very largely ex- 
ceeds that of any previous year since the present writer has made 
his compilations. The amount expended is nearly $400,000 greater 
than in 1879, and $300,000 greater than in 1880". The number of 
buildings built is 308 greater than in 1879, and 265 greater than 
in 1880. 

'Tn the erection of buildings for manufacturing purposes, the 
showing is still more gratifying, as the increase is over six fold. 
Our great pork-packing establishment, the butter and egg house, 
and the button factory, are valuable additions, not only in them- 
selves, but from the fact that they give employment permanently 
to a great many men, and necessitate the building of many new 
homes, and very largely increase our population. 

"Our tables again show, that Sioux City workingmen are build- 
ing their own homes, and the vast majority of them are neat, warm 
and comfortable. 

"The increased cost of building has not been as great as expected, 
and will not average over 15 per cent, above the amounts paid for 
similar work in the two previous years. This increase is not greater 
than the increase in the earnings, and profits of almost any busi- 
ness in the city, and ought not to deter anyone from buildiug. 

"We ought not to lose sight of the fact, that all of these new 
houses are full of people, and the smaller the house, the more peo- 
ple it seems to hold, and that our tables show the completion of 
nine large hotels and boarding-houses, all of which have all of the 
rooms that they can spare from transient guests let to permanent 
boarders. There can be no reason to doubt that the population of 
the school district of Sioux City, which takes in all of the town, 
is now fully 11,000 people." 

CITY GOVERNMENT. 

Mayor. W. R. Smith; Treasurer. Gr. R. Gilbert; City Solicitor, 
J. M. Cleland; Clerk, F. Barth: Marshal, J. R. Thompson; Dep- 
uty Marshal, John Colvin; Street Commissioner, James ScoUard; 
Night Police, Thomas Budworth and Mike Ahern; Engineer, G. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 199 

W. Oberholtzer; Engineer of Steamer, H. A. Lyon; Chief of Fire 
Department, J as. P. Wall; Health Officer, Dr. J. W. Frazey; 
Weighmaster, James Shanley; Librarian, Miss Helen Smith. 

Councilmen. — First Ward, D, Dineen, R. G. Grady; Second 
Ward, D. A. Magee, H. S. Harmon; Third Ward, N. Tiedeman, 
li. S. Van Keuren; Fourth Ward, L. Humbert, E. C. Tompkins. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The fire department of the city is a volunteer organization, 
composed of ninety members, fifty-five of whom are active, and 
thirty-five exempt. The organization was first effected in 1874, 
with E. R. Kirk, Chief of the Department. The fire apparatus 
belonging to the city consists of one steamer, three hose carts, 
2,500 feet of hose, and a hook and ladder truck, fully equipped. 
The engine house is a substantial two-story brick building, located 
in the central part of the city. The members of the company, 
with the exception of the Chief and Engineer, render their services 
gratuitously. James P. Wall is the present Chief, and the de- 
partment is an able and efficient one. 

THE TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. 

The Sioux City Telephone Exchange was incorporated August 
Ttli, 1880, and the construction of lines was soon after commenced. 
December 10th, of the same year, the first telephone connection 
was made, but only a few instruments were put in. The practic- 
ability of this new and novel means of communication was soon 
demonstrated, and the telephone rapidly grew in public favor, the 
success of the Exchange being thereby assured. Lines were soon 
extended all over the city, and communication established between, 
nearly every business house, as well as with many private resi- 
dences. Over one hundred telephones are now in use in the city, 
and new ones are constantly being put in. In December, 1881, a 
line was extended to Sergeant's Bluffs, eight miles distant, and as 
it is found to be entirely practicable, it is more than probable that 
a fcAv years will see Sioux City connected by telephone with all the 
towns within a radius of twenty-five miles, thus bringing them all 
into closer commercial relations with Sioux City as the head center. 

THE POSTOFFICE. 

The first postoffice was located in an unostentatious log building, 
the private residence of the Postmaster, Dr. John K. Cook, who, 
received his commission from President Pierce, by the first mail 
that arrived in the place, July 20th, 1855. The arrival of the 
first mail sack was an occasion of no small consequence to the 
little sturdy band of settlers who had cast their fortunes in the 
great unknown West, as the contents brought them tidings of 
^heir Eastern friends, and seemed to link them once more with the 
civilization from which they had been so long cut ofi". Though 



200 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

the revenue derived, by the Postmaster from the office, was but a 
small sum, it is related that the Doctor discharged his onorous 
duties with such scrupulous care and fidelity, that he remained in 
his position, undisturbed by place-hunting politicians, until re- 
lieved at his own request. The mail service, thus early established, 
in f855, though then only arriving weekl}^, via Council Bluffs, has 
continued uninterrupted. As the place grew in size and commer- 
cial importance, semi-weekly, then tri-weekly, and finally, in 1861, 
daily mails were established, and the postoffice was removed to 
more commodious quarters in the "corner gi'ocery." Previous to 
the removal of the office, Dr. Cook was succeeded as Postmaster 
by Charles K. Smith, wdio retained the position until the close of 
James Buchanan's administration. On Lincoln's accession to the 
Presidency, A. R. Appleton, was appointed Postmaster, who, in 
turn, was succeeded by J. C. C. Hoskins, who was continued in 
office until March, 1878, when E. R. Kirk, the present incumbent, 
was appointed. Until the appointment of Mr. Kirk, the office 
was located according to the fancy of the official in charge, which 
not infrequently resulted in great inconvenience to the public. 

The growth of the city to a place of several thousand inhabi- 
tants, with a dozen mails arriving and departing daily, rendered 
more commodious quarters necessary, and in 1879 the office was 
removed to its present central location, w^here a building had been 
specially erected for it. It is conveniently arranged, both for the 
benefit of the public and the rapid handling of the mails. The 
business of the office at present requires the services of five clerks, 
and is rapidly increasing. 

However uninteresting statistics may be to the general reader, 
they are very significant to those who wish to trace the progress, 
determine the results, or estimate the future of a growing city, and 
as nothing afi'ords a better index of the business of a place than 
the value of the business done at its postoffice, we append the fol- 
lowing detailed exhibit of the Sioux Citv post office during the 
year 1881: 

GENERAL ACCOUNT. 

Eeceipts. 

Stamps sold $10,759.51 

Envelopes sold 3.395.56 

Postal cards sold 1,662.57 

Paper and Periodical Stamps sold 750.18 

Postage due stamps sold 259.02 

Box Rent 1,659.50 

Total 118,446.34 

Expenses. 

Genpral Expense Accomit $3,069.49 

Postmaster's Salary 2,800.00 

$5,869.49 

Net income $12,576.85 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 201 

MONEY OUDER BUSINESS. 

lieceij^is. 

4,524 Domestic orders issued $57,570.75 

Fees on same 550. G5 

43 Canadian orders issued 1,307.05 

Fees on same 20.85 

73 British orders issued 1,031.13 

Fees on same 30.45 

50 German orders issued 813.19 

Fees on same 14.10 

4,690 lotal orders and fees on same $ 61, .338. 17 

2,610 Remittances received 294,989.29 

Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1881 2,082.98 

Disbursements. $358,410.44 

4,738 Domestic orders paid $ 86,432.57 

43 Canadian orders paid 1,620.58 

39 British orders paid 824.76 

61 German orders paid 2.104.05 

4,876 _ Total money orders paid $90,981.96 

31 Domestic orders repaid 373.44 

Money order expense account 504.06 

Remitted to Omaha 364,650.00 

BaUmce on hand Jan. 1, 1882 1,900.98 

$358,410.44 

MAILING DEPARTMENT. 

T^ctters 603,148 

Postal Cards I55 226 

Transient printed matter 258*232 

Merchandise packages 5512 

Total 1,022,112 

REGISTRY DEPA:;'. MENT. 

Number of Letters received g gQg 

Number of Letters dispatched, originating at Sioux City ........... 2!211 

Numbar of packages in transit ' ' ' 18394 

lotal 27,413 

SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS. 

Masonic— Landmark Lodge No. 103, A. F. & A. M., was char- 
tered June 2d, 1857. It is in a flourishing condition' and has a 
membership, at present, o£ about 140, Meetings are held the sec- 
ond Monday of each month. 

Sioux City Chapter, R. A. M., No. 26, was organized April 9th, 
1860, and has a membership of ninety-five. Meetings are held the 
third Tuesday of each month. 

Columbia Commandery No. 18, K. T., holds stated conclaves on 
the first and thn-d Fridays of each month. The present member- 
ship is forty-three. 

• {'t^; ^•,^-— The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has a hall 
m Hedges Block, corner of Fourth and Douglas streets. 

14 



'■202 HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

Sioux City Lodge No. 164 was organized October 22d, 1868. 
Meetings are held regularly Monday night of each week. The 
membership is ninety-live. 

Western Star Lodge No. 282 meets every Tuesday night. It 
was organized October 22d, 1874, and has a present membership 
of fifty-four. 

Sioux City Encampment No. 44 meets regularly the second and 
fourth Thursdays of each month. It was organized October 20th, 
1869, and has how fifty-five members. 

Knights of Pythias. — Columbia Lodge No. 13 was organized 
July 10th, 1872, and has a membership of sixty-five. This society 
has no hall of its own, and meetings are hehl every Wednesday 
night in Odd Fellows' hall. 

Endowment Section No. 302 also meets every Wednesday night. 

Ancient Order of United Workmen : membership 100; meeting 
place Odd Fellows' hall. Officers: T. R. Galbraith, M. W.; Jas. 
Hutchins, F.; J. T. Orr, 0.; Maris Feirce, S.; M.L.Sloan, F.; 
A. F. Nash, R.: H. A. Lyon, P. M. W., and delegate to State 
Lodge. 

The Sioux City Medical Society was organized November 4th, 
1872, and has for its object the mutual improvement of members. 
Meetings are held quarterly. 

The Womans' Cliristian Temperance Union was organized in 
1875, and has a membership of sixty-five. This is a most active 
organization, and has for its object the suppression of intemper- 
ance. The club has inviting and pleasant rooms in Hedges' Block, 
and meetings are held every Tuesday afternoon. 

The Woman's Christian Association, was organized in 1875, by 
the christian ladies of the city. It has a large and increasing 
membership, and regular meetings are held quartei'ly. 

l^he Maennerchor is asocial and musical organization with forty- 
five members. Meetings are held the first Sunday in each month, 
in the society's hall on Fourth street. 

Society of 'United Irishmen. — This society was organized Septem- 
ber 1st, 1880, and has forty members. Meetings are held every 
Sunday afternoon. 

Q. E. D. Club. — This is a gentleman's social club, organized 
November 20th, 1878. The membership is limited to twenty-one. 

B. Xeque D. Club. — A gentleman's social club, with rooms in 
Hedges' Block. It was organized September 1st, 1880, with a lim- 
ited membership of twenty-five. 

There are in addition several musical, literary and social organi- 
zations holding meetings. 

THE ST. PAUL SHOPS. 

The year following the completion of the Sioux City & St, Paul 
road, the city voted a tax of ^20,000 to secure the location of the 
company's repair shops at this city, and work was immediately be- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 203 

gun on the extensive buildings now occupied by the company's 
machine shops. These shops have been enlarged from time to 
time, and, during the summer of 1881, had been increased to a ca- 
pacity of 200 men, whose monthly pay-roll amounted to more than 
$10,000. In these shops a specialty is made of repair work. All 
the most improved machinery has been put in for this line. Be- 
sides the repair work, a great number of new freight cars have 
been built. But the point in which the shops excel, is the re- 
building of passenger cars, and the best trains now run by the 
company are of cars that have been practically rebuilt in the shops 
at Sioux City. The increased mileage of the road has, and will, 
make necessary further enlargements of the shops, and this will 
keep the St. Paul Bailroad Machine Shops, what they have ever 
been, one of the leading industrial establishments in the West. 

SIOUX CITY WATER COMPANY. 

The need of an adequate sjpply of water for the city for fire, 
domestic and manufacturing purposes has long been apparent, and 
various organizations have been started to give the city a water 
supply; but it w^as not until the Spring of 1881 that anything tan- 
gible was done. Then the Sioux City Water Company was organ- 
ized, with David Magee as President. The plan of the company 
was to secure a supply of water from an artesian well. Work on 
this well was begun in October following, and by New Year's a 
depth of 1,290 feet was reached, where the drill entered a rotten 
sand-rock that promises, when it is curbed, to give a sufficient sup- 
ply of water. The company, soon after the formation, secured a 
fair franchise from the city for furnishing water for fire purposes. 
Lots have been bought on Prospect Hill, a bluft rising 183 feet 
above the level of the principal street, on which to build a reser- 
voir, and the purpose of the company is to pump water from the 
Missouri River, which flows at the foot of this bluff, to supply the 
the reservoir in case the artesian well should fail to give a suffi- 
cient supply. 

THE COURTS. 

The first term of the Woodbury County Court was held at Sioux 
City in March, 1855, John K. Cook acting as Judge. The first 
term of District Court began September 3d, of that year, with 
Samuel H. Riddle as Judge. In the early days of the city, court 
was held in the now dilapidated brick building, yet standing on 
lower Fourth street, near Virginia. A-fterwards, the county built 
the house now called the "old jail," on Virginia street, near 
Seventh. This was used as a jail, and occasionally for court pur- 
poses, until the fall of 1876, when the commodious and imposing 
edifice, which had been begun the previous spring, was completed. 
Woodbury County points with pride to this Court House. No 
other county in the State has one of more architectural beauty, 



204 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

and few are larger and more convenient. The contractors were 
Sioux City men, C. E. & D. T. Hedges, and the building cost (com- 
plete) $100,000. The present Judiciary are: C, E. Lewis, of 
Cherokee, District Judge, and J. R. Zuver, of Sioux City, Circuit 
Judge. S. M. Marsh is District Attorney. A bill has been in- 
troduced in Congress, which, if it becomes a law, as now seems 
likely, will give Sioux City terms of the United States Court. 

THE BUTTON FACTORY. 

The Sioux City Button Manufacturing Company was incorporated 
October 15th, 1881, with a paid-up capital of $10,000. Its manu- 
factory is located on the West Side, and is a substantial three-story 
brick building, well supplied with all necessary machinery. The 
works were set in operation in January, 1882, and the first finished 
buttons were turned out on the 26th of the same month. The 
factory, at present, is exclusively devoted to the manufacturing of 
buttons from horn, and when run to its full capacity, will afford 
employment for seventy operatives. The advantages enjoyed by 
the company in obtaining the raw material for its products, enable 
them to successfully compete with eastern manufacturers for 
trade in the East, while the freights that the latter have to pay, 
on the raw material and manufactured articles, will preclude the 
possibility of their entering western markets as competitors of 
this home manufactory. All grades of buttons will be made, and 
it is the intention of the company to handle their goods through 
jobbers only. The company is composed entirely of Sioux City 
men, and the machinery, excepting the lathes and presses, are 
nearly all of Sioux City make. 

THE CHURCHES. 

The moral and religious wants of the community are well sup- 
plied in this city. The church records run back as far as 1856. 
In 1857, Rev. Mr. Chessington, a Presbyterian missionary, org;in- 
ized a congregation of his denomination in the then frontier vil- 
lage, and the first church edifice built was by that society, the 
building being still standing on lower Fourth street, and now does 
duty as a grocery store. The churches now in this city are: 

First Preshijferinn^ — E-itablished in 1857; membership 193; 
church, corner Sixth and Nebraska streets. 

Cnngregdtional, — Established 1857; membership, 184; church, 
on Douglas street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. 

First Methodist Episcopal. — Established in 1857; membership, 
175; church, corn-er of Sixth and Pierce streets. 

St. T/iomns Episcopal. — Established in 1859; membership, 
eighty-three; church, corner of Nebraska and Seventh streets. 

First Baptist. — Establ'shed in 1860; membership, 155; church, 
corner Fifth and Nebraska streets. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 205 

St. Mary's {Catholic).— Estahlhhed in 1856; membership, 130 
families; church, corner Sixth and Pierce streets. 

German Lutheran. — Established in 1877; membership thirty- 
three; church, on Jackson street, above Sixth street. 

Swedish. Ecangelical Lutheran. — Established in 1875; member- 
ship, 160; church, corner of Virginia and Fifth streets. 

Norwegian Lutheran. — Established in 1875; membership, sev- 
enty-three; church on Third street between Jones and Jennings 
streets. 

Trefoldighedskirken. — Established in 1875; membership, forty- 
three; church on Sixth street. West Side. 

Norwegian Methodist. — Established 1880; membership, sixty- 
two; church, on Court street, near Seventh street. 

Swedish Baptist. — Established in 1881; membership, fifty-seven; 
church, on Wall street near Sixth street. 

In connection with all these churches, flourishing Sunday 
Schools are maintained; the scholars in nearly every church out- 
numbering the membership. It shows a satisfactory growth in 
religious matters, that during 1881, three new churches, the Bap- 
tist, Swedish Baptist, and Norwegian Methodist, have been built 
or begun, and that a fourth, the First Methodist, took the prelim- 
inary steps for re-building and enlarging their place of worship. 

WOODBURY COUKTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The Woodbury County Agricultural Society was organized in 
1870, and the present handsome fair grounds, located one and a 
half miles northwest of the city, were laid out soon after. Though 
the organization has met with many discouraging reverses, it has 
done much to advance the interests of farming, and created a 
laudable ambition to excel among the agriculturists of the county. 
Exhibitions have been held annually, with the exception of one 
or two seasons, when bad weather made it inexpedient to attempt 
it. Within the past two years unusual interest has been taken in 
the Society by the farming and stock-raising community, and the 
organization has been placed in a prosperous condition and on a 
solid financial footing. Men, identified with the pursuits, whose 
interests are represented by an association of this kind, have as- 
sumed the management, and made the Society in every way 
creditable to the county. The benefits arising from these annual 
exhibitions of the agricultural, mechanical, and manufacturing 
products of the country, are being recognized, and the hearty co- 
operation of all classes is accorded them. The grounds belonging 
to the Society have recently been improved by the planting of 
shade trees, and new buildings erected for the convenience of ex- 
hibitors. The officers of the association are: Gr. W. Kingsnorth 
President: Craig L. Wright, Vice-President; J. M. Cleland, Sec- 
retary; G. W. Wakefield, Treasurer; R. Hall, W. B. Tredway, 
E. A. Broadbent,J.M. Cleland,G. H. Wright, G. W.Wakefield, 



206 



HISTORY OF lOAVA. 



G. W. Kingsnorth, C. L. Wright, W. P. Holmaii, B. P. Yeo- 
mans, Directors. The fair for 18S2 is to be held September 12th, 
13th and 14th. 



MISCELLANEOUS MAJyUFACTORIES. 

Among the manufacturing interests of the city, which can only 
be mentioned without giving any detailed account are:C. F. Hoyt's 
Vinegar Works, employing five men; John Beck's planing mill, 
fifteen men; A. J. Millard's wood working shop, four men; Barker 
& Petty, barrel and butter tub factory, fourteen men; R. Selzer's 
brewery, eleven men; Franz & Go's brewery, thirteen men; City 
flouring mills steam, ten men ; the Floyd flourmg mills, water power, 
eight men; the brick yards of J. Rochele, Thomas Green and C. 
B. Woodley, the two latter having steam power, and altogether 
employing ninety men during the season; John Griffin's candy 
factory, three men; and the wagon shops of Trudell Bros., Dineen 
Bros., and Reeve & Trudell, and Brown Bros., together employing 
forty-three men; and the cigar factories of Arasler & Radcliff, 
George Mauer, and A. M. Ashley, which furnish employment to 
twenty-four workmen. The following table, shoAving the business 
of these, and numerous smaller manufactories, during 1S81, will 
give the reader some idea of the importance of these industries: 



■ 


to 

w 

6 


to 

fcc 


t» 

o 

M 

o 




106 
79 
24 
24 
34 

124 

90 

66 

8 


$ 44,950 $ 167.400 


Eatables 


37,780 
10,300 
21,000 
13,500 
46,280 
18,000 
41,100 
4,500 


457,350 


Cigars 

Beer 


69,000 
110,000 


Leather 


79,200 


Clotliing' and other items 


167,200 


Brick 


43,400 


Printing 


81.500 


Marble 


14,000 






Totals 


555 


$ 237,410 


^1,189,050 









This table does not include the output of the pork house, nor of 
the St. Paul shops. Owing, mostly, to the active exertions of the 
Board of Trade, several other manufacturing enterprises are either 
assured or in prospect. Among these are chemical tvorks, for 
which part of the apparatus has arrived at this writing; a pump 
foundry, for which ground has been leased; clay pipe works, a 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 207 

large distilleiy, a liax mill, and numerous others yet too vague to 
take position as historical facts. 

THE SCHOOLS QF SIOUX CITY. 

Rapid and substantial as we have seen the growth of Sioux City 
to have been, in population and commercial importance, intellec- 
tual progress has been maintained in a degree fully equal to its 
material progress; and, to-day, it is the acknowledged educational 
center ol the great Northwest. Fortunately, from the birth of 
the city to the present time^ her school interests have been con- 
fided to earnest, active, representative men, with broad and liberal 
views of education, brought with them from their New England 
homes, where the advantages of common schools had been tested 
by experience, and under whose administration and fostering care 
a system of graded schools has been established which affords edu- 
cational advantages unsurpassed by any city in the State. Her 
citizens have been liberal — even lavish — in the expenditure of 
money for the erection of elegant and commodious school build- 
ings, and their equipments, with all the modern improvements cal- 
culated to facilitate the acquisition of a common school education. 

The public schools of the city are embraced in what is known as 
the Independent School District of Sioux City, Avhich was organ- 
ized in July, 1869. The first Board of Directors was composed of 
six members, consisting of A. M. Hunt, President; William L. 
Joy, W. R. Smith, John Cleghorn, F. J. Lambert, and George 
Falkenhainer. John P. Allison was Treasurer and F. M. Ziebach, 
Secretary. The present Board of Directors consists of John P. 
Allison. President; William L. Joy, J. C. C. Hoskins, L. McCurty, C. 
R. Marks and A. Groninger, two of whom are elected every Uyo 
years for a terra of three years. During the first year after the 
organization of the district into an independent one, the first 
school house of any now in use was built. At present there are 
eleven school houses in iise, of which three are rented, and the 
others belong to the district. Additional buildings are in contem- 
plation to meet the growing wants of the district. The schools 
are all graded, as primary, secondary and intermediate, culminat- 
ing in the High School, Vhich latter, though few in its number 
of pupils, has attained a high degree of efficiency as a factor in the 
educational system of the city. The schools are under the man- 
agement of A. Armstrong, Superintendent, with a corps of thirty- 
two able teachers. Instructors only of acknowledged ability and 
ripe experience are employed, who are emulous of attaining the 
the high standard of excellence for which Iowa, as a State, has be- 
come justly renowned. Of these, three are males, at an average 
salary of ^'90 per mouth, and twenty-nine females, at an average 
salary of $40 per month. The Superintendent, has general charge 
of all the schools,, and receives a salary of 81,250 per annum. The 
last annual report of the County Superintendent gives the number 



208 HTSTOEY OF IOWA. 

of school age in the district, as 2,185, while the actual attendance 
upon school, as appears by the City Superintendent's report, is 
1,329. School is in session ten months of the year, and the aver- 
age cost per pupil is $1.27. The value of the school buildings is 
estimated at about $75,000. The grounds in most cases, are sur- 
rounded by substantial fences and adorned with shade and orna- 
mental trees. 

A CITY OF HOMES. 

To give some idea, though necessarily an inadequate one, of the 
rapid growth and present prosperity of the city, the following fig- 
ures are given, showing the number of new buildings and the cost 
of improvements miide during the past three years: 

NO. COST. 

1879 103 1157,445 

1880 .- 146 257,085 

1881 411 558,210 

While many of these buildings were substantial business blocks, 
solid manufactories, and palatial residences, by far the greater 
numberwere the modest homes of mechanics, small tradesmen, 
and laborers. Sioux City is emphatically a city of homes. The 
possibility of securing a home of one's own, owing to the moder- 
ate price at which residence lots have been held, the prosperity of 
all classes, and the assistance given by loan and building associa- 
tions, has been improved, and these have combined to make the 
city the Philadelphia of the West. 

LAND INTERESTS. 

As well as being a center of wealth and business for a large sec- 
tion of country, Sioux City is the center of a large laud interest 
and business. The location of a government land office at this 
city, one of the first prizes secured by the founders of the infant 
metropolis, has naturally been followed by the centering of a large 
landed business at the city. The fertile acres in this part of Iowa 
were open to entry at $1.25 per acre for several years after being 
surveyed, and during the flush of times of 1856-7 hundreds of 
thousands of acres were entered by speculators in this part of the 
State. Then came the era of land grants to railroads, and these 
lands, as well as those of private speculators, were placed in the 
hands of Sioux City agents for sale. Among the resident proprie- 
tors of large landed estates may be mentioned T. J. Stone, Weare 
& Allison, D. T. Gilman, G. W. W^akefield, John Pierce and N. A. 
McPaul. The two latter, beside the lands Avhich they own, are 
agents for non-resident and railroad lands, the former in selling 
the lands granted railroads in this part of Iowa, and the latter rep- 
resenting the Burhngton and Missouri grant in Nebraska. The 
sales of these two firms alone amounted to several hundred thou- 
sand dollars during 1881. 

It would be an error to suppose from the active demand for real 
estate that the country was becoming crowded. A careful study 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 



209 



of the plats in the office of any Sioux City Land dealer will show 
that not more than one-sixth part of the land in Woodbury County 
has yet passed into the hands of actual occupants. The county is 
capable of sustaining a population equal to that now scattered out 
over the entire northwest quai-ter of the State. 

AS A DISTRIBUTING POINT. 

Sioux City, situated as it is, on the convex side of the Missouri 
River, on its first great bend north of Kansas City, the waters of 
that great river flow toward it from an almost due westerly course 
for 150 miles, when they turn southward, while smaller streams 
flow toward it from the north and east. Its location thus seems 
to have been designed by nature as the natural spot for the great 
metropolis of the Upper Missouri, and the commerce of this rapid- 
ly growing empire flows as naturally toward this point as the 
waters have for ages. The natural advantages of this location 
for a commercial center, were seen and fully appreciated by the en- 
terprising, intelligent men who selected it for a city, and they not 
not only laid it out on a grand scale for substantial business blocks 
and stately residences, but they worked to bring to the aid of its 
natural resources all the helps that the artificial arteries of com- 
merce can command. 

Its commanding geographical position, coupled with its eight 
lines of railroad and mighty river, has made it the distributing 
point for Dakota and Nebraska. All the supplies for the vast ter- 
ritory to the north and westward are necessarily handled by the 
railroads centering here, and the business thus brought to her very 
doors has contributed not a little to the upbuilding of the city, as 
it necessitated the erection of warehouses and the investment of 
capital in the wholesale and distributing business. The following 
table, prepared by the Secretary of the Board of Trade, will give 
some idea of the extent and character of this business during the 
year 1881: 





<r- 








o 




aj 




& 




c3 




R 


:« 


03 




W 


S, 


CO 




o 




O 

1- 

o 



General Merchandise 

Grain 

Hides, Tallow and Furs 

Wood and Coal 

Lumber 

Agricultural implements, etc 

Total 



320 


$ 148,225 


$4,541,304 


18 


15,500 


549,322 


10 


6,000 


654,000 


16 


5,000 


188,000 


23 


12.400 


375,000 


25 


30 


170,000 


412 


$ 197,425 


16,477,626 



210 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

These figures can be accepted as being as nearly correct as it is 
possible to give them, and if the3'err at all it is in being too small, 
and that they are too small is clearly indicated by the amount o£ 
exchange sold by our three banks during the past year, as per 
figures furnished, which was §10,250,127.02. 

Especially is this true of grain, as one firm, during the period 
covered by this table, purchased 600.000 bushels of wheat alone, 
and the shipments of corn and oats to the up-river military posts 
amounted to 15.000,000 pounds. The general merchandise sales 
of the city during the same year reached the gratifying total 
of 4,500,000 of dollars. Of this amount §1.456,000 was 
sold by the three wholesale dry goods houses, and about §100,- 
000 in round numbers by the two wholesale grocery establish- 
ments. Of the other lines of trade engaged in the distribution 
business, of the magnitude of whose operations no definite figures 
can be given, may be mentioned: 

The Standard Oil Company has put in tanks and a warehouse, 
whence illuminating and lubricating oil is distributed all over this 
part of the northwest. 

The firms of F. H. Peavey & Co., H. G. Wyckoff, Booge Bros., 
and Knud Sunde send out coal, lime and plaster by the ton, car- 
load or single barrel. 

Two wholesale grocery houses, E. C. Palmer "& Co. and Tacka- 
berry. Van Keureu & Floyd, represent their line. One of the firms 
stated that its business in 1881 amounted to over §500,000, and 
the other refused to give figures. 

The wholesale drug business is carried on by John Hornick and 
F. Hansen. 

Liquors are sold in job lots by John Hornick, E. Ressegieu and 
Joseph Marks. 

The cracker factory of Goodwin & Mosseau employs seven men^ 
and has a trade extending throughout the Northwest. 

In the wholesale saddlery hardware line there are J, M. McCon- 
nell & Co. and L. Humbert. 

Dry goods and notions are wholesaled by Tootle, Livingston & 
Co. and by Jandt & Tompkins. 

The jobbing of hardware is conducted by Peavey Bros, and 
Geowey & Co., the former firm selling only at wholesale. 

Agricultural implements are sold in lots to dealers by Peavey 
Bros., W. L. Wilkins and Cottrell, Bruce & Co. 

The shipping of grain is the specialty of F. H. Peavey & Co. 
and Davis & Wann, and is one of the lines of John H. Charles and 
Jas. E. Booge & Co. 

The northwestern distributing point is at Sioux City for the 
Singer Sewing Machnies, for which A. P. Provost is agent; the 
American Sewing Machines, represented by W. W, Griggs, and 
for Kimball's musical instruments, for Avhich Arthur Hubbard is 
general agent. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. ^ 211 

During 1881, Smith & Farr, built an extensive butter and egg 
packing establishment, costing $20,000, which the growth of the 
trade in this produce imperatively demanded. 

Oberne, Hosick & Co., of Chicago, have a branch house estab- 
lished here, which niakeS a specialty of hides and wool, and whose 
operations extend to the British Possessions. 

Pinckney k Co., beside their retail book and stationery business, 
keep several men on the road selling their wares. 

Cummings, Sznith & Co. are exclusively engaged in the whole- 
sale boot and shoe trade. 

J.K.Prugh,in connection with his retail crockery and cpieen's- 
ware trade, devotes some attention to the wholesale line of his 
business. 

Beside these, three banks, two of which are national banks, two 
express offices and the postoffice handle the currency used in the 
business of a wide extent of country. Numerous firms and indi- 
viduals who do not figure before the public as being in the whole- 
sale trade, are, by force of circumstances compelled to sell goods 
in job lots to out-of-town customers. Thus a number of our cloth- 
ing merchants supply surrounding country stores, grocers send out 
shipments to dealers all the way between the city and Deadwood, 
and lumber dealers ship small lots and entire car lots to small 
dealers out of the city. By numberless channels the goods brought 
in bulk to this city are distributed, and the produce of the country 
collected and forwarded. Much of this business has not been cul- 
tivated, but has come to the city unasked. The need of more 
wholesale houses is the crying need of the city. The field is large, 
and the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers comparatively few, 

INDIAN ANTIQUITIES. 

When Lewis and Clark's expedition ascended the Missouri River, 
they found the Sioux in possession of the country on the north 
side of the river above the Big Sioux, and on both sides from the 
mouth of the Niobrara up to near where Ft. Buford now is. 
On the west side of the river, at the Blackbird Hills, was the 
Omaha village. This tribe. Avhose present village is about thirty 
miles southwest of Sioux City, had occupied the neighborhood of 
their present village from a time to which Indian tradition fixes 
no limit. Their peaceful ways had fixed the tribe not only in lo- 
cality, but in numbers, and from the best acccunts attainable they 
have never varied much in the the latter, from 1.200 souls. On 
account of this Chinese-like fixedness, this tribe has always been 
considered one of the most interesting by students. At this writ- 
ing a cultured young lady of Boston, Miss A. C. Fletcher, is living 
with the tribe as a member, to study their religion and traditions. 
Though in the early treaties the government appears to recognize 
the title of the Omahas to the country about this city, it was the 
common hunting: irround of this tribe and the Sioux. 



212 , HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The Sioux are, as a tribe, the opposite of the Omahas. While 
the Omahas have remained stationary, the Sioux have f^rown. 
From the time of Lewis and Clark's expedition to the time the first 
lot was staked at Sioux City, the tribe had almost annihilated the 
once formidable Rees and Mandans, reduced the Poncas to a petty- 
band, and extended their dominion to the south as far as the Platte, 
north to the Saskatchawan. Indian tradition says that the Sioux 
are not an old tribe, but the descendants of a band of young braves 
from different tribes that banded themselves together to form a 
new tribe, and started from somewhere near the head of the south 
Saskatchawan. These Romans of the North subdued other tribes 
and incorporated them with themselves, taking such wives as they 
wanted from the conquered. The name used by the tribe in speak- 
ing of themselves, Dacota — friends or allies — comes from this as- 
sociation of young men, rather than from the subsequent proceed- 
ings had. 

The human bones disinterred in excavating for the foundations 
of buildings in Sioux City, indicate that the Omahas, or some 
other of the older tribes, occupied the country before the Sioux 
came, for the Omahas bury their dead, while the Sioux expose the 
bodies of their deceased friends on scaffolds. Dr. Yeomans, one 
of the first settlers of Sioux City, mentions in a letter recently 
written to a resident, that, when he first saw the townsite, in the 
fall of 1855, the trees on the east slope of Prospect Hill were orna- 
mented with scaffolds, on which were the bones of Indians. The 
dead had been wrapped in their robes and blankets, and left there 
to decay. 

But before either the Omahas or the Sioux occupied the country 
about Sioux City, it was the home of another and more civilized 
people, of whom, unfortunately, but little can now be known. 
Their principal city was on the Broken Kettle Creek, about seven 
miles northwest of Sioux City. There a circular elevation, 
several acres in extent, rises to the height of from six to ten feet 
above the level of the bottom land. But few explorations of this 
village mound have been made, and the most that is known of it 
comes from observations taken of the side where the Broken Ket- 
tle Creek has cut into the mound. The soil of which the mouud is 
made appears to be different from that of either the neighboring 
bluffs, or of the bottom land, from which it rises; nor is there any 
depression near the mound to show from whence came the mater- 
ials of which it is made. In places, and at some little distance be- 
low the surface, are ashes and bones of some animals, as if the 
mound had been built higher since it was first the site of a village. 
Some human bones have been found, but scattered and broken, as 
the animal bones were, and this gives rise to the horrid theory that 
the villagers feasted on elk, man and buttalo flesh with equal en- 
joyment. The few parts of skeletons found on the higher part of 
this and neighboring mounds (for there are several mounds in the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 213 

same section) are supposed to be the result of Indian interments 
made long subsequent to the age when these mounds were the sites 
of populous towns. The peculiar feature of the mounds, and the 
one from which the creek takes its name, Broken Kettle, is the 
numerous remains of pottery found. These vessels, from the 
fragments found, (for no complete specimens have yet been dis- 
covered) appear to have been for all kinds of domestic use. They 
were made of clay found in the bluff not far off', and appear to 
have been moulded by hand, not turned on a wheel, before being 
baked. Some of them display considerable rude taste in ornamen- 
tation and design, and much patience in their making. A mound 
somewhat similar to those on the Broken Kettle, is reported to 
have been found on the Little Sioux, north of Correctionville, but 
with this exception the Broken Kettle mounds are unique, as is 
their pottery. It is to be regretted that these interesting remains 
have not been more fully explored, and it is to be hoped that at 
an early day some one actuated by a pure Ioa e of knowledge will 
investigate these relics of an earlier civilization. 

THE INDIAN WAR. 

In 1861, the beginning of the war of the Rebellion, tired the 
hearts of the pioneer patriots of Sioux City to such an extent that 
a company of cavalry was formed under the State law, with Capt. 
Tripp in command. This organization disbanded during the 
winter, and the following summer a company was enlisted under 
the name of the Sioux City Cavalry, under which name it was 
mustered into the government serv^ice, with A. J. Millard as Cap- 
tain. During the Indian troubles following the massacres at New 
Ulm and Spirit Lake, this company did much to give confidence 
and courage to the frontier. It was the presence of this company 
that checked the stampede of settlers that came out of Dakota in 
the summer of 1862, and when Cordua and Roberts were killed 
by straggling Indiaus in Bacon's Hollow, three miles east of this 
city, the Sioux City Cavalry followed the trail of the murderers 
for several days, but without overtaking them. About the same 
time Sioux Falls was burned, and several murders committed by 
the Sioux in Union and Clay counties, in Dakota. 

In the winter of 1862-3, General John Cook began the organ- 
ization of a campaign against the Sioux, with Sioux City as a base 
of operations. The Sioux City Cavalry, as a company, went into 
the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, a part of which regiment, and all of 
the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, composed the force of which General 
Sully took command in the spring of 1863, when he relieved Gen- 
eral Cook. After the campaign of that year, the expedition re- 
turned to spend the winter of 1863-4 at Sioux City, and the sum- 
mer following went out on the campaign, which resulted in driving 
the hostile Sioux beyond the Missouri. 



214 HISTORY OF IOWA. 



SLOAN. 

This prosperous and enterprising little place is situated on the 
Sioux City & Pacific Railvray, twenty-one miles below Sioux City, 
and four miles from the Missouri River. It possesses no corporate 
powers in itself, but is a part of Sloan Township, which was 
formerly a portion of Lakeport Township, but which, in January, 
1876, was organized as a separate township, the first officers of 
which were: F. 0. Hunting, President; G. R. Beall, J. R. Coe, 
Trustees, and Ed. Haakinson, Clerk. The present township officers 
are: W. J. Wray, President; F. 0. Hunting, George W. Lee, 
Trustees, and W. G. Williamson, Clerk. The connection of town- 
ship affairs with those of the village has been so close that it is 
scarcely possible to do justice to one without giving something of 
the other's history. 

This place, although older than many other towns in Western 
Iowa, is still in its infancy, and though for several years it seemed to 
make but little progress, it is now rapidly building up, and bids 
fair to become an important point. 

The date of the first permanent settlement in this section is not 
definitely known, but it is believed that Rufus Beall, now deceased, 
is entitled to that honor, as he first came here in 1856, and 
although he did not make his home in Sloan until 1865, he' was a 
very large landholder in the vicinity as early as the first date given, 
and made several lengthy stays. George R. Beall, a nephew of 
Rufus Beall, is at present the oldest settler in the township, he 
having made it his place of residence as early as 1808. Another 
settler, who came the same year, was Andrew Fee. 

Sloan proper was platted in 1870 by John I. Blair, at that time 
President of the Sioux City & Pacific Railway Company, and all 
deeds were made in his name. Blair received the land as a gift 
from one of the enterprising citizens of this place. Previous to 
the platting of the town, there was a store on the site which had 
been erected in 1868 by J. B. Johnston. There was also a post- 
office, Avhich Avas known as Hamlin Postofiice; but the real place 
commenced, in a measure, its existence with the platting of the 
town. Among the settlers who came about or just before this 
time, were John Tully, now dead, R. C. Barnard, Fred. T. Evans, 
Ed. Haakinson, and others. 

The population of the village is variously estimated at from 200 
to 225, and it is probable that the latter figure is not too great. 
The nationalities represented are various, though the native Ameri- 
can element is in the majority, many of the latter being from the 
State of New York. On the outskirts of the village is a strong 
Scandinavian representation. Taken in combination, the people 
of Sloan are as good citizens as could be wished for, and they 
would be welcomed with open arms to any locality. 



HISTORY-OF IOWA. 215 

A movement is on foot to secure incorporation, and the desired 
object will no doubt become an accomplished fact at an early day. 
Tlie prevailing sentiment at present, however, seems to be that 
the population is hardly, as yet, up to the required standard, but 
as that drawback is fast being remedied, it will probably not prove 
an obstacle for any very extended period. 

Sloan is well represented in the various lines of business neces- 
sary to a properly balanced village, and all show signs of pros- 
perity. 

The following are the various establishments: Three general 
merchandise stores, one grocery store and meat shop, a butcher 
shop, saloon, drug store, hardware store, blacksmith shop, black- 
smith and wagon shop, hotel, restaurant, barber shop, livery and 
sale stable, furniture store, photograph gallery, lumber-yard, stock 
and grain dealer. In addition to these, the learned professions are 
represented by one clergyman, as elsewhere noticed, and one 
phvsician. The bar has no representative here. The postoffice is 
a moue}^ order office. The railroad shipments, which are rapidly 
increasing, will average two car-loads or more per day of stock and 
other products of the country. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

M. E. Church Societi/.— The first sermon preached in Sloan, 
subsequent to missionary work, was delivered by the Rev. Mr. 
Crane, of Dakota, a representative pioneer preacher, who held ser- 
vices with a congregation of seventeen, in a room over Beall & Ev- 
ans' store. This was in October, 1870, and from that date, the 
Methodist Society of Sloan began its growth. Subsequent meet- 
ings were held in the school-house, Mr. Crane acting as supply 
preacher, and continuing in that capacity for several years. Mr. 
Crane was succeeded in his ministrations by various other itiner- 
ant clergymen, prominent among whom were Uevs. Keister, Bil- 
lings, Fawcett, Drake and Cuthbert. The society which started 
with two members, now has a membership of forty, and has a reg- 
ular pastor. Rev. William Thomas, who has continued in that ca- 
pacity since October, 1881. The Society is no longer in need of 
securing public buildings for the holding of its meetings, but has 
an excellent church edifice, with dimensions of 35x50 feet, which 
was dedicated in June, 1881, and which is a credit to the community. 

Congregational Church Society. — The Congregational Church 
Society was organized in the Spring of 1879, by the Rev. A. M. 
Beeman, now of Spencer, who relinquished his charge in Septem- 
ber, 1881, since which time the church, which has a membership 
of thirty-five, has depended upon supply preachers. The society 
has no building of its own, as yet, but a subscription has been 
started for the erection of one next season, upon the completion 
of which a resident pastor will be secured. 



216 HISTORY .OF IOWA. 

Shan Lodge, I. 0. G. T. — This is the only organization in the 
nature of a secret society in Sloan, and it, though the charter is 
still retained, does not hold regular meetings. It started with a 
small membership a year or so ago. 

The organization of a Masonic Lodge in the village has been 
contemplated, but as yet nothing has been done in the way o£ 
work to that end. 

Debating Societies.— -Sloan has also a debating Society, but as 
yet it is small and in an embryo stage of life. The meetings are 
held in the school house. 

Public Schools. — The public schools of the city consist of a 
primary and a higher school, the latter presided over by F. E. 
Chapin, and the former by Mrs. F. E. Chapin. The number of 
pupils in attendance is seventy. The school building was erected 
in 1881, and is a two-story, frame structure, with dimensions of 
28x40 feet. Its interior arrangements consist of two large class- 
rooms, and a smaller recitation room. A smaller brick building 
had supplied the needs of the place for several years prior to the 
erection of the present school house. The School Board for this 
year consists of J. B. Crawford, President; F. 0. Hunting and 
W. J. Wray. The school system of the place has been almost co- 
existent with itself, and reflects great credit on the community. 

The people of Sloan are confident of a prosperous future, and 
deliberate observation by an unprejudiced observer would seem to 
confirm the belief. The country around is a grand one, and it 
would seem that nothing stands in the way of an ultimately large 
growth. 

OTHER TOWNS IN WOODBURY COUNTY. 

Smitliland. — One of the early settlements in the county was 
Smithland, on the Little Sioux River, about thirty-five miles south- 
east of Sioux City. At this place in January, 1857, bagan, between 
the whites and Indians, the troubles immediately preceding the 
Spirit Lake massacre. The Indians made some threats against the 
whites, which caused the settlers to arrest and disarm some of Ink- 
pa-du-tah's band. The Indians stole other arms, and passing up 
the valley of Little Sioux River into Cherokee and Clay Counties, 
committed further depredations. When they arrived in Dickinson 
County, they committed the outrages which form so painful a 
chapter in the history of the State. 

CorrectionviUe — Lies in a bend of the Little Sioux River, near 
the line of Ida County. It was settled years ago, when Sioux City 
was little more than an Indian camping ground, and per force of 
circumstances still remains a village, though its situation and nat- 
ural resources would warrant it in becoming a town. A pioneer 
by the name of Shook came into what is now Kedron Township 
in Section 1, in 1853. R. Candreau, C. Bacon, and M. Kellogg 
came the next year. Shook sold out to Bacon, who was the first 
permanent settler. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 217 

Woodbury. — This village was formerly called Sergeant's Bluff 
City. The railroad station here is still called Sergeant's Bluif. It 
is situated on the Missouri bottom, six miles south of Sioux City. 
It was located in 1856, by Doctor J. D. M. Crockwell and Doctor 
Wright, of Independence, Iowa. In 1857-8 a newspaper was pub- 
lished here, of which mention has been made. In 1862 the manu- 
facture of pottery was commenced at Woodbury, and the business 
has been lively and remunerative ever since. 

Danbury, Salix, and Oto are other minor settlements in Wood- 
bury County, 



WOODBURY COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



SIOUX CITY. 



D. D. Adams, of the firm of Devore & Adams, auctioneers and 
commission merchants — who established business at Sioux City in 
1869 — was born in 1848; served in the U. S. A. one and one-half 
years under Colonel La Grange, in Co. B., 1st W. C. He lost a 
brother at Helena, Ark., who was captain of the company. Previ- 
ous to coming to this place, the subject of this sketch was engaged 
in business three years in Wis. 

A. Akin, of the firm of Akin & Shulsou, dealers in staple and 
fancy groceries, confectionery, etc., t^hicago House, 4th St., Sioux 
City, la., was born in Otsego counhv, N. Y., March 8th, 1810. 
In 1827, he moved to Penn.; removed to Belvidere, 111., in 1844; 
thence to Elgin, and from there to Chicago in 1852, where he 
served as justice of the peace and police magistrate for seven years, 
and also practiced law. He received a commission from Presidenf; 
Lincoln to recruit. In 1864, he moved to Kansas, where he was 
for several years register in the U. S. land office, in Augusta and 
Wichita; was postmaster for several years, and prosecuting attor- 
ney for Morris county. He then moved back to Chicago, and re- 
mained two years, after Avhicli he came to Sioux City, in 1878, and 
located permanently. 

Abel Anderson, dealer in groceries and provisions, corner of 4th 
and Jackson Sts., was born in Sweden in 1856; came to America 
in 1874, and settled in Sioux Cit3^ He is now one of the leading 
grocers of the city; his sales average $25,000 per year. 

C. M. Anderson, photographer, was born in Sweden in 1849, 
came to America in 1852, and located in Chicago. In 1871, he 
moved to Rock Island, 111. While there he took charge of a gal- 
ls 



218 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

lerj, aud learned tlie art of photography. He caiii3 to Sioux City 
in 1878; married Bertha Jorgensou, of Manitowoc, Wis. They 
have two children — Emineretta and John E. 

John Anderson, of the firm of Anderson & Olson, dealers in 
boots, shoes, rubbers, etc., opposite High School building, was 
born in Sweden in 1843; came to America in 1869, and settled in 
Sioux City; married Anna Anderson. They have four children — 
Mary, Albert, Carrie and Oscar. 

L. B. Atwood, liveryman, established business in 1866; Avas 
born in Liverniore. Maine; came west and settled in Sioux 
Falls, Dakota, in 1858; and the same year came to Sioux City, 
which makes him one of the pioneers of this place. He has been 
a member of the city council, and held other minor offices. He is 
one of Sioux City's representative citizens. 

F. W. Anthon, of the firm of Tiedeman & Anthon, dealers in 
staple and fancv groceries, cigars, tobacco, etc., established busi- 
ness in 1875. He was born in Germany in 1836; came to Ameri- 
ca in 1857, and settled in Davenport, la.; removed to Sioux City 
in 1870, and was for three years in charge of the Chicago Hotel. 

Frank X. Babue, of the firm of Payette & Babue — shop oppo- 
site High School building — was born in Montreal, Canada in 1812; 
came to the U. S. in 1851, and settled in N. Y. He moved to 
Mass.; thence to Connecticut; thence to Vermont, and in 1875, he 
came to Sioux City. He married Medrise Delier, of Canada. 
They have five sons^Albert, Frank, Willie, Alphonso and Ed- 
mund. 

John Back, proprietor of the Sioux City planing mills. This 
mill was established Aug. 22nd, 1871. In this year the building 
was enlarged, and machinery added, by Mr. B. and partner. In 
1881, Mr. B. became sole proprietor. The amount of business 
transacted by the establishment, is about 112,000 per annum. Mr. 
Beck was born in Somerset county, Penn., in 1833; came west in 
1857, and settled in Sioux City, and is therefore one of the oldest 
settlers of Sioux City. He was engaged in contracting and build- 
ing for eighteen years; has served as city alderman two years. He 
married Nancy Culbertson, and has four children — Irene, Mag- 
gie, Eva and William E. 

M. E. Bedford, of the firm of Bedford Brothers, dentists, be- 
gan the practice of dentistry in Grand Ripids, Mich., in 1866; in 
1872, located in Worthington, Minn., and engaged in the practice 
in Sioux City in 1876, with his brother, L. N. Bedford, Avho, with 
his assistant, R. F. Merrick, travels in Southern Minn., Northern 
Iowa, Southeastern Dakota and Eastern Neb., in the practice of 
dentistry in all its branches. 



HISTORY OF TOWA. 219 

A. D. Bedford, M. D., was born in Pa., in 1848; <^r ad uated from 
Alleghan}^ College in 1873; studied two terms at Tubingen, Ger- 
many, in 1871 and 1875. He was a teacher in the military school 
at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., during the year 1876; and in 1877, gradu- 
ated from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Came to 
Iowa, and practiced medicine in Waterloo two years, and came to 
Sioux City in 1879; Avas married in June, 1880, to R. McNeil, of 
Waterloo. 

Geo. W. Beggs, M. D., is the son of the Rev. S. R. Beggs, the 
author of ''Earl}^ Methodism in the West." He was born in 111., 
in 1837, graduated from Evanston College in the literary depart- 
ment, and received the degree of A. M., and from the Rush Med- 
ical College, Chicago, in 1862, where he received the degree of D. 
D. Daring the late war, he was surgeon of the lOotli 111. regi- 
ment, and was with Gen. Sherman in his famous march to the sea. 
He came to Sioux City in 1866, and was married in 1865 to Lillian 
A. Sims. They have three daughters — Lizzie, Bertha and May. 

A. L. Bennetts, proprietor of the New York Fruit Store— estab- 
lished business in 1879 — was born in N. Y., in 1826; came west to 
Wis. in 1848, and, after traveling about, finally located at Fort 
Winnebago. He afterwards moved to Minnesota; from there to 
Saginaw, Mich.; thence to 0.; then back to Mich.; from there to 
Chicago, and then to this city. He served in the late war two 
years under Gen. Burnside, in the 9th army corps. He has held 
various town offices. He married Grace Brigham, of Wis. They 
have three children. 

Hon. J. H. Bolton, clerk of the circuit and district courts of 
Woodbury county, was born in Cleveland, 0., in Jan., 1816; grad- 
uated at Harvard college in 1868. In 1869, he came to Sioux City, 
and engaged in the practice of law, which he continued until 1873, 
when he retired from business. He was elected to the 17th Gen- 
eral Assembly, and in 1879, was elected to his present office. He 
married Sarah Thornton — now deceased — who was the daughter of 
James Thornton, the present consul to Aspinwall. 

James E. Booge, of the firm of J. E. Booge & Co., pork packers, 
was born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Yt.; came to Sioux City in 
1858, and has been engaged in his present business since 1869. 
This firm sell their hams for the north and west; mess pork to the 
north, and the government; their sides for the local trade and the 
south, and their lard to Chicago. Capital required in operating 
the business, about 8500,000. During the year, 1881, they erected 
extensive buildings of brick and stone, five stories high, at a cost 
of $100,000. The Avorks cover an area of five acres. They have 
every modern appliance, fertilizing works, etc., and employ in the 
busiest season, about 300 men, and run both winter and summer 
seasons, with a capacity, respectively, of 1,500 daily in wmter, and 



220 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

500 in Slimmer. J. E. Booge, Esq., who founded the establish- 
ment, is resident partner and entire manager. The works have 
ample side-tracks connecting with every road in the city. 

C. Borman, proprietor of Columbia House, on the corner of 
Fourth and Water streets, established business in 1870. He 
has good stabling accommodations connected with the premises. 
Mr. B. was born in Germany in 1826. He was in the German 
military service six years; came to America in 1854, and settled in 
Alleghany City, Ta. He removed to Johnston, Pa.; thence to 
Omaha; thence to Sioux City, in 1868, In 1879, he was township 
trustee for this town. He married Federika Keller. They have 
five children — Lena, Mina, Elizabeth, Charles and Oscar. 

John Brennan, attorn ey-at-law; commercial collections, a spec- 
ialty. 

Napoleon Brouillette, dealer in groceries and provisions, was 
born in Montreal, Canada, Aug. loth, 1852; came to the U. S. in 
1869, and settled in Sioux City. He entered the employ of H. D. 
Booge & Co., where he remained three years; was then employed 
in the store of Joe. Marks three years; then was with Geo. W. 
Felt, and after that, with J. B. Barringer two and one-half years. 
He married Jennie Irwin, of this place. They have three children 
— Maud, Henry and William. 

R. A. Broadbent, proprietor of livery stable, on Douglas street, 
between 4th and 5th streets; established business in 1869. He 
was born in 111., in 1844. He moved to Fayette county, Iowa, and 
came to Sioux City in 1868. He served in the late war two years 
in Co. F, 9th I. I., under Captain Guinn. 

N. C. Brunk, proprietor of grocery store and restaurant, was 
born in Virginia in 1852; served as postmaster in Va. four years. 
In Oct., 1881, came west, and settled in Sioux City. He was sta- 
tion agent for the B. & 0. R. R., for some time. He married Car- 
rie Hite, of Middletown, Va.. 

E. H. Bucknam, of the firm of J. P. Dennis & Co., was born in 
Washington Co., Maine, in 1843; Inoved to Toledo, 0., in 1866; 
thence to Chicago, where he remained until 1868, when he came 
to this place, and entered the above firm. 

Phil. Carlin, County Recorder, is a native of 111.; came to Iowa 
in 1860, and settled in Clinton Co.; removed to Woodbury Co., in 
1871, and located at Union; was elected to his present ofiice in 
1880, and removed to Sioux City the same 3'ear. 

H. B. Clingan, of the firm of H. B. & C. E. Clingau, physi- 
cians and surgeons, was born in 0., in 1822; is a graduate of the 
Cleveland Medical College. He practiced in 0., from 1848 to 1855; 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 221 

then moved to Benton Co., Iowa, and practiced there until 1877, 
when he came to Sioux City and opened his present office with 
his son C. E. Clingan. 

Willis G. Clark, attorney at law and justice of the peace, was 
born in Penobscot Co., Maine, in 1S53. He came to Minn., with 
his parents in 1857, and settled in Dakota Co. He is a graduate 
of Browns University, of Providence, R. I. He came to Sioux 
City in 1878, and was elected justice of the 'peace in 1880. Mr. 
C. has been actively engaged in local politics, and is a rising young 
attorney. 

M. A, Comeau, carpenter and joiner, — shop opposite High 
School building — was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada; 
came to the U. S., and settled in Mass., in 1863. He removed to 
this place in 1879, and engaged in his present business. He mar- 
ried Mary Gelines, of Canada. They have four childien — Malvi- 
nas, Edwin, Emma and Charles, 

T. H. ConnifF, Jr., attorney at law and justice of the peace, is 
a son of T. H. Conniff, of Houston, Minn., who has represented 
that state in the legislature, and was district attorney for 
several years. The subject of bhis sketch settled in Sioux City in 
1869, is a graduate of the State University, and was admitted to 
the bar at Des Moines. 

W. H. Corrigan, proprietor of sample room, No. 26 Pearl St.. 
was born in Ozaukee Co., Wis., in 1850; come to this place in 1874, 
and entered the employ of the proprietor of the Washington 
House. He married Emma Shiable, of Sioux City. They have 
one child — Willie. 

A. H. Crowell, of the firm of Crowell & Martin, commission 
merchants and wholesale dealers in foreign and domestic goods, 
green and dried fruits, confectionery, etc., corner of 3rd and Pearl 
streets, was born in Mass. in 1838; followed sailing eleven years; 
has visited almost eveiw foreign clime, and is a man of wide ex- 
perience. During the late war he was on a government transport. 
He located in Benton Harbor, Mich., where he engaged in the dry 
goods business. In April, 1880, he came to this place, where he 
embarked in his present business, under the firm name of Crowell 
& Co.; afterwards, Geo. N. Martin became a partner. The firm 
name was changed to its present name. This is the only exclusive 
commission house in the city. 

Warren H. Cottrell was born in Renssellaer Co., N. Y., in 1852; 
removed to Waterloo, la.; graduated from the State University at 
Iowa City in the class of '79, and came to Sioux City, Nov. 15th, 
1880. He is now a member of one of the leading agricultural 
implement firms of this place. 



222 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Jesse M. Ciinningham, the leading hatter of the city, was born 
in N. Y. in 1858; came to Sionx City in 1869, and engaged in 
business with his father, until in April, 1881, he entered his pres- 
ent business. 

C. W. Cutler, M. D., was born in Winneshiek Co., la., in 1858; 
moved with his parents in 1871 to Osage: graduated from Cedar 
Valley Seminary in 1877, and from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
in 1880; practiced medicine in Osage one year, and in 1881, 
located in Sioux City. Although his arrival is of comparatively 
recent date, he is already in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice. 

John Davelaar, of the firm of Davelaar Brothers, house, sign 
and ornamental painters — shop on Douglas street, between 3rd 
and 4th streets — established in 1879. He was born in Holland in 
1838, came to America in 1848, and settled in Pittsburg, Pa.; 
moved to Wis., and in 1875, came to Sioux City, where he was en- 
gaged id the car shops several years. He served in the Union 
Army four and one-half years in the 1st Missouri L. A., was order- 
ly sergeant, and has been county commissioner of Armstrong 
county^ Dak. Bart Davelaar, of the above firm, was born in 
Holland in 1831; came to America in 1848, and settled in Pa.; 
removed to Wis., and in 1873 came to this place; was in the employ 
of Dineen Bros. 

George Douglass, M. D., was born in Canada in 1843; graduated 
in 1868 from the Eclectic Medical College of Ohio; came to Iowa 
in 1870, and settled in Iowa county. He removed to Sioux City 
in 1872, where he is now in the practice of his profession. He 
held the office of county physician for several years, and in 1871, 
he married Sarah Tufts, daughter of John Tufts, of Grinnell, 
Iowa. They have one son — Bruce. 

A. DePee, proprietor of the National House, corner of 3d and 
Nebraska streets, has lately remodeled and refurnished this hotel, 
and made it one of the best ^1.00 per day houses in the city; has 
no bar connected with the house. He was born in Ind., in June, 
1836, and removed in 1856 to Wis.; came to Iowa in April, 1869, 
and settled on a homestead in Woodbury county, where he farmed 
six and one-half years. He served in the U. S. A. one year, in Co. 
H, 46th W. V. I., under Captain Hoskins and Colonel Lovell. 

Hon. S. T. Davis, attorney at law and dealer in real estate, was 
born in Pa. in 1828; was educated at Alleghany College, at Mead- 
ville. Pa.; came to Sioux City in 1856, and has been identified with 
many leading enterprises for the benefit of his adopted city. He 
was the founder of the Sioux City Journal, and with others organ- 
ized the S. C. & St. P. R. R., and has taken an active interest in 
the construction of other roads leading into the city. He was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln register of the U. S. land office, which 
position he held eighteen months. He was elected to the state 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 223 

senate to fill a vacancy made by the resignation of Judge Oliver. 
Mr. D. was mayor of the city in 1871, and was prosecuting attor- 
ney for several years. He owns large landed property and busi- 
ness property in the city. 

M. B. Davis, attorney at law, was born in Grafton county, N. 
H., in 1837: enlisted in the late war in 1861 in Co. I, 1st R. I. C; 
served in that regiment two years, and then enlisted in Co. I, 1st 
N. H. C.. and served from March, 1863, to August 1865; enlisted 
as a private, and came out a commissioned officer. He was taken 
prisoner at Paris, Va., and exchanged at the end of four Weeks, 
and again taken prisoner at Winchester, Va., and escaped and 
reached the Union army at Harper's Ferry. He was again taken 
prisoner by Wade Hampton's troops, and taken to Richmond, and 
removed to Castle Thunder; thence to Salisbury, N. C, and was 
paroled in the spring of 1865 at Wilmington, N. C. He was en- 
gaged as a cavalry scout most of the time during his service. He 
came to Fort Madison, la., in 1866, where he practiced law until 
1875, when he came to this city and opened an office. 

M. C. Davis, one of the proprietors of city mill and elevator, was 
born in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vt., in 1835. He has been en- 
gaged in the milling business since 1855; came to Sioux City in 
1869 and erected the elevator in 1870. The elevator has a capacity 
of 70,000 bushels; the mill was built in 1871, has a capacity of 
125 barrels of flour per aay, and employs 15 men. 

George Devore, auctioneer, was born in Bedford county. Pa., in 
1834; came to Sioux City in 1869, prior to which he was in busi- 
ness in 111. He Avas justice of the peace twelve years, and has held 
other town offices; he has followed his present business since 1865. 

Deming & Hatch, dentists, are former residents of Vt. They 
came to this city in Nov., 1880, and opened their present office 
Their practice is extensive and remunerative. 

J. P. Dennis, of the firm of Dennis & Co., was born in Somerset 
county, Maine, in 1832, removed to N. Y. in 1851; thence to Du- 
buque, la., in 1853, and to this city in 1867. He served his coun- 
try in the late war from 1862 until 1863 in Co. G, 40th 1. I. 

Thomas Dorman, baker a^d confectioner — No. 56. Pearl St. — 
was born in England in 1841; came to America m 1863, and set- 
tled in Chicago; removed to Omaha, Neb., 1867. During the late 
war he served two years under Gen. M\ers. He married Amelia 
Gibbons, and has two children — Aunie tnd Arthur. 

Christ. Doss, proprietor of the Milwaukee House — located near 
depot — was born in Mccklingburg. Germany, in 1836; came to 
America in 1854, and settled in 0., where he learned carpentry. 
Thence he removed to Dubuque, la.; came to this city in 1857, 
and was one of its pioneers. He mai-ried Mary Sohl,of Germany. 
They have five children — one son and four daughters. 



224 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

L. H. Drumm, proprietor of the Washington meat market, which 
is one of the finest markets in the west, with all of the appurten- 
ances that would do credit to an eastern city — was born in Bavaria 
in 1839; came to America in 1861 and settled in .Cincinnati, 0.; 
removed to Lyons, la.; thence to New Frankfort, Mo., and from 
there came to Sioux City. He married Helena Bitteghaffer, and 
has two children — Nellie H. and Eddie L. 

J. W. Denton, of the late firm of Flinn & Denton, of the Cen- 
tral meat market, was born in Keokuk, la., in 1856; moved to 
Neb. in 1859, and in 1872 to Council Blufl's;carae to this city in 
1879. 

D. Elliott, dealer in crockery, glass, wood and willow ware, 
house, hotel and steamboat furnishing goods, established this busi- 
ness in 1870; his establishment was destroyed by fire Dec. 5th, 
1875; reopened Dec. 7th, of the same year. The building has two 
stories and basement, all of which he occupies, carrying one of the 
largest stocks of goods of this description west of Chicago. He 
was born in Pa.; has been in la. twenty years; was formerly in 
business in Iowa City. H. E. Sawyers, head salesman, for the above 
firm, has been connected with this house for more than twelve 
years. He was born in Davis county, la., in 1856; came to this 
city with his parents in 1857, where he has made his home ever 
since. 

Rev. Fr. Eisenbe'ss, pastor of the First German Lutheran church, 
was born in Germany in 1851; came to America in 1870, and 
located at Fort Wayne, Ind., where he founded Concordia College. 
He then attended St. Louis college three years. He removed to 
Dixon county. Neb., by special call of the newly formed congre- 
gation, to do missionary work for this denomination; came to this 
city in 1878, and founded a church with fourteen inembers, which 
was incorporated in Jan., 1879. He married D. Steinmeyer, of St. 
Louis, and has two children — Dorothy and Ludmilla. 

J. D. Farr, of the firm of Smith & Farr, wholesale dealers in 
butter and eggs, was born in Lewis county, N. Y., in 1813; 
came west in 1876; started in business with a small capital, and 
now does a business of one-half a million per annum. 

S. S. Fessenden is the proprietor of the China Hall. This busi- 
ness was established in 1863; purchased 1871 by J. H. Fessenden, 
and by its present owner in 1877. Mrs. F. is a native of Cincin- 
nati, 0. J. H. Fessenden is a native of Concord, N. H., and is at 
present extensively engaged in mining in Col. 

M. L. Flinn, of the firm of Flinn & Lessenich, proprietors of the 
Central meat market, (business was established in 1 881), was born 
in Woodstock, 111., in 1852; moved to Chicago,' where he lived eight 
years, and came to this city in 1868. He was chief clerk in the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 225 

St. P. R. R. shops for nine years, and worked three years on the 
S. C. & P. R. R. He married Mary M. Wilkins, and has three 
children — Grace M., Frank M. and an infant. 

Wm. S. Follis, dealer in real estate and insurance agent, does a 
general fire and marine insurance business. 

P. Follis, proprietor of the Sioux City House, was born in Ire- 
land in 1817; came to America in 1843, and settled in Fall River, 
Mass. He removed to Dubuque, la., Sept. loth, 1845, and from 
there to this city in 1868. He has served as school director and 
in other town official capacities. He married Margaret Conway. 
They have four children — William S.,Mary, Michael E. and Ellen. 

J. W. Frazey, of the firm of Frazey & Bedford, physicians, was 
born in Pa., in 1833; studied medicine at Cleveland, 0., and also at 
Ann Harbor, Mich., and graduated from Chicago Medical College; 
has been in the practice of his profession since 1853; was married 
to Rebecca Shertzer in 1853, and Las one child — Ada, now the wife 
of Dr. C. E. Clingan. 

J. Franz & Co., brewers. The business of this firm is conducted 
by Mrs. M. Franz and Mrs. Kate Hensler, the widows of the 
former proprietors, both of whom died in the spring of 1881. The 
brewery was built in 1868, is 150x40 ft., has a capacity of 10,000 
brls. per year, and has bottling works connected with it, whose 
capacity is about 250,000 bottles per year. The foreman, John 
Arensdorf , is a practical brewer, having learned the business at Sedan 
France, and is in every respect well fitted for the position whi'ii 
he now holds. The financial affairs are under the charge of C. F. 
Hoyt and J. R. White. The firm employ about fifteen men about 
the establishment. 

P. F. Gerard, proprietor of the samfi^le room, newly fitted up and 
opened — Pearl st., between 3rd and 4th sts. — was born in 0. in 
1845; came to Iowa in 1855, and settled ten miles west of Marengo; 
removed to this city in 1870. He served in the late war about one 
year in Co. B, 9th 111. C. 

G. M. Gilbert, merchant tailor, was born in Brattleboro, Yt., in 
1844, where he lived until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. B, 16th 
V. v. His term of enlistment expired a few days before the battle 
of Gettysburg, but his regiment took an active part in the engage- 
ment, and but few returned. He came to III. in 1864, and re- 
moved to this city in 1870. Mr. Gilbert established his business 
in Sioux City in 1873, and as the fruits of his proficiency and 
ability to please the purchasing public, has acquired a very exten- 
sive patronage of the most desirable kind, embracing, in addition 
to the Iowa trade, portions of Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and 
Missouri. 

S. 0. Gibbs, proprietor of American House — Jennings St., be- 
tween 3rd and 4th Sts. — nas newly refitted and refurnished his 



226 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

hotel with a view to accommodating the traveling public, farmers 
and boarders at reasonable rates. He was born in N. Y. in 1825; 
removed to Wis., in 1869. The same year he came to this city, 
where he worked at carpentering, and next opened a meat market. 
He served in the U. S. A., at Leavenworth, Kan., was treasurer of 
Concord township four vears. In 1880 he visited Salt Lake City, 
Utah. 

P. P. Gibbs, proprietor of the St. Elmo Hotel, between 5th and 
6tli streets, was born in Pittsfield, Vt., in 1821; moved thence to 
Brandon, where he served eighteen years as a magistrate, and held 
many municipal and other offices of public trust. He was mar- 
ried in 1873 to Adeliza Sargent, of Pittsford, Vt.. and has one 
child — Irving, In June, 1881, Mr, Gibbs located in Sioux City, 
and assumed the proprietorship of the hotel above mentioned, 
which he has ever since continued to conduct to the satisfaction 
of an increasing public patronage. 

G. W. Goodwin is of the firm of Goodwin & Mousseau, proprie- 
tors of the steam bakery. They are manufactures of crackers, and 
jobbers in confectionery — capacity, 60 bbls, per day — and the in- 
ventors of the cracker factory machine-made bread, which they 
find a ready sale for throughout this western country. He was 
born in Pa., in 1833; removed to 111., in 1853, and settled at Dix- 
on; then removed to Vinton, la., where he was engaged in the 
bakery business, under the name of Goodwin Bros. He served in 
the U, S. A, three years in Battery F, 1st 111. L. A,, under Maj. T. 
Cheney. He was a corporal while in the service; came to this city 
in 1877, and is one of its substantial business men. 

John H. Griffin, proprietor of candy factory^Fourth street — 
established business in 1879. He was born in Chicago, 111., in 
1857; came to this city in 1873, and was en gage 1 as a compositor 
in The Journal office five years. 

B. A, Guyton, M, D., is a graduate from the University of 
Maryland in the class of '69. He settled in Sioux City in 1870, 
and engaged in the practice of his profession. 

John Haner, dealer in hardware — lower Fourth street — estab- 
lished business in 1881. He came to Sioux City in 1861; was em- 
ployed as clerk in the Groninger hardware store. He enlisted in 
this city in the llth I., under Col. Pattee, and served in the JJ. S. 
A, all through the rebellion; was commissary sergeant most of 
the time, also clerk in Jthe commissary department. He married 
Julia Reinke, and has five children — Lena, Tillie, Willie, Otto and 
Emma. 

F. S, Hansen, blacksmith, established business in 1878; was 
born in Germany in 1849, and came to America in 1869, and set- 
tled in Sioux City. He removed to Missouri Valley; thence among 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 227 

the Indians at Fort Berthokl; thence to Plymouth county, la., 
and back to this city. He married Minnie F. Krouse, of this 
place, and has one child — George. 

Capt. James Hayden, proprietor of the Central House — cor. of 
3rd and Jackson sts. — has mwly opened and furnished the house. 
He was born in Dublin in 1835; followed sailing from ISiG to 
1875; and was the owner of several vessels during that time. He 
served in the navy during the late war, and Avas quartermaster 
a part of the time. 

J. M. Heberling, express agent, was born in Pa. in 1846; came 
to Jackson county, la., in 1856, and moved to Cedar Rapids in 1878, 
where he Avas messenger of the C, N. W. R. R. between Cedar 
Rapids and Council Bluffs. He came to this city in Aug., 1881, 
He married Lizzie Todd, of Milwaukee, Wis, 

L. A. Heckman, dealer in groceries, confectionery, etc. — Ith st. 
— was born in Cleveland, 0, in 1857; came to this city in 1877, 
and was in the employ of D. H. Talbot, in the Land Title ojB&ce 
until 1879, when he engaged in his present business. 

H. Hilgers, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, provisions, 
flour, etc. — 7th st., west side — was born in Germany in 1832, 
came to America in 1852, and settled in Galena, 111.; removed to 
this city and engaged in farming for thirteen years, when his 
health failing him for that pursuit, he engaged in his present 
business. He has served as school director. 

F. C. Hills, of the firm of Hills & McKercher, successors to 
Grouinger, dealers in hardware, stoves, tinware, wagon stock, 
barbed wire, etc., sole agents for Adams & Westlake's non-ex- 
plosive coal oil stoves, also agents for rubber paint, galvanized iron 
cornice work a specialty — numbers 33 and 35, Pearl st. — was born 
in England in 1843, came to America in 1849, and settled in 
Oneida county, N. Y.; removed to Iowa in 1868, in the interest of 
the S. C. P. R. R. Co., and located in this city in March of that 
year. He was general traffic manager for the above road, and the 
first railroad agent in Sioux City. He served as 2nd sergeant in 
the late war in Co. E, 117th N.'^Y. I., under Col. Wm. R, Pease. 
Mr, McKercher, of the above firm, Avas born in Flint, Mich., and 
was for some times traA'eling salesman for a Chicago house. He 
came to this city in the Avinter of 1872—3. 

John Hittle, retail grocer — cor. 4th and Douglas sts — established 
business in 1873. He was born in Ohio in 1835; moved to Ind., 
and in 1855 removed to Des Moines, la. He came to Sioux City 
in 1856, and in the fall of that 3^ear Avent to Sioux Falls, Avhere he 
built a cabin for a Dubuque toAvn company, returning to this place 
before Avinter. He was a fur trader for some )'ears, and then en- 
tered the employ of H. D. Booge & Co., where he remained for 
fifteen years. 



228 filSTORY OF IOWA. 

John Hopkins, proprietor of sample room — Pearl street, between 
5th and 6th — was born in 1862; came to Sioux City in 1867; was 
in the employ of E. J. Ressegien for some time. He married 
Jennie Pickett. 

C. W. Hopkins, carriage and sign painter and grainer — cor. 
Douglas and 5th sts. — was born in Pa., in 1830; moved to Wis., in 
1840, and in 1850 removed to Cal.; thence to Australia; thence to 
London, Eng.; thence to Canada; thence to Wis.; thence to Mis- 
souri Valley Junction, la., where he had charge of the R. R. paint 
shop five years, moving thence to this city. 

C. F. Hoyt, proprietor of Sioux City Vinegar works, was born 
in 111., in 1842; removed to Idaho in 1864, and engaged in mining 
for two years; located in this city in 1869 and went into the farm 
machinery business; established his present business in 1875, 

B. S. Holmes, dealer in boots and shoes, clothing and gent's fur- 
nishing goods, was born in Norway in 1853; came to America in 
1870, and settled in Chicago; came to this city in 1872 and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business; engaged in the boot and shoe 
business in 1880, and the 1st of Sept., 1881, he engaged in his 
present business. 

J. C. C. Hoskins was born in N. H. in 1820; graduated at Dart- 
mouth college in the class of '41; was engaged in teaching 
shool five years, and afterward followed his profession, that 
of civil engineering. He was employed by the Cochituate 
Water works, and afterward by the B. & 0. R. R. Co., un- 
til the spring of 1857, when he came to this city. In 1863^ 
he was appointed postmaster of Sioux City, and served in that 
capacity until June 30th, 1878. He was city engineer from 1858 
to 1871; has been mayor of the city, and was justice of the peace 
twelve years; has served on the school board several terms. He 
was the first engineer for the S. C. & St. P. R. R., and made pre- 
liminary surveys, etc. Mr. Hoskins was a director of the Sioux 
City Savings bank, Avhich was subsequently changed to the Sioux 
National bank, of which he continues to be a director. 

Hon. E. H. Hubbard, attorney at law, was born in Rush county, 
Ind., in 1849; graduated from Yale College in the class of 1872, 
and was admitted to the bar in Sioux City, in 1874. He has rep- 
resented Woodbury county in the state legislature. 

W. B. Humphrey, proprietor of the Central book store, dealer in 
books, pictures, frames, paintings, wall paper, notions, periodicals, 
etc.. No. 66,4th street; came into possession of this business Nov. 
22d, 1881. He was born in Maine in 1855; removed to Minneap- 
olis, Minn., in 1870; thence to Sibley, where he was engaged in 
buying grain. From Sibley he came to this city. He was in the 
employ of the S. C. & St. P. R, R. company ten years, part of that 
time as station agent. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 229 

C. P. lbs, proprietor of Eastern meat market, established busi- 
ness in 1871; owns the buildings that he occupies, and in 1874 fit- 
ted up his place of business with all the late improvements at a 
cost of ^1,500. He was born in Germany in 1843; came to Amer- 
ica in 1870, and located in this city. He learned his trade in Ger- 
many, where he was employed for a number of years in a market. 

S. B. Jackson, ex-sheriff of Woodbury county, was born in Pa. 
in 1845; removed to Linn county, la., in 1864; thence to this city 
and engaged in the real estate business. He was elected mayor in 
1877, and served three terms; was elected sheriff in 1879; his term 
expiring with the beginning of the present year; Mr. Jackson 
served two years in the late war in Co. B, 17th Pa. I. 

Hon. Wm. L. Joy, president of the Sioux national bank of Sioux 
City, and member of the law firm of Joy & Wright, was born in 
Townsheud, W^indham county, Vt.: came to this city in 1855, and 
engaged in the practice of his profession with N. E. Hudson; he 
entered the present partnership in 1868. Mr. Joy was elected to 
the State legislature in 1864, and again in 1866. 

James Junk, wholesale dealer in liquors and cigars, was born in 
N. Y. city; removed to Iowa City, la., in 1861, and enlisted in Co. 
A, 41st la. I., Avas transferred to the 7th la. C, and served in the 
U. S. A. until 1866, under Gen. Sully, on the frontier. He estab- 
lished his present business in 1868. 

M. J. Kearney, dealer in groceries, provisions, etc. ^established 
business in 1877. He was born in Ireland in 1856; came to Ameri- 
ca in Oct., 1875, and settled in New Haven, Conn.; removed to 
this city in 1876, where he has resided ever since, except one year 
spent in the Black Hills. He married Mary A. Toohey, of Sioux 
City, and had one child — Alice, now deceased. 

E. R. Kirk, postmaster, was born in Ottawa county, 0., in 1834; 
came to Sioux City in 1856, and in the following year engaged in 
the mercantile business, Avhich business he continued until 1873; 
then held the office of deputy county treasurer; was appointed 
deputy collector of internal revenue in 1876, and was appointed 
postmaster in 1878. Mr. Kirk was married in 1859 to Mary P. 
Sawyers, and has five children — W. A., E. L., Charles, Frank and 
Mamie. W. A. Kirk, is deputy P. M., and E. L. Kirk is delivery 
clerk. 

Frank Klepsch, proprietor of the Iowa House, (formerly owner 
of the Milwaukee House), has newly furnished and opened this 
hotel, and solicits patronage. He was born in Germany in 1838; 
came to America in 1867, and located at La Crosse, Wis.; removed 
to this city in 1869. 

B. Kuhlman,proprietor of the Madison Hotel — between Pearl and 
Water sts. — -was born in Germany in 1829; came to America in 



230 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

1859, settled in Chicago, and engaged in the grocery business. In 
1876 he removed to this city, and took charge of the Merchants' 
Hotel. He married Barbara Masath, of Germany. Mr. K. was in 
the military service in his native country during three years. 

Samuel Krummann, proprietor of a fine dairy farm, (situated on 
Horse Shoe Lake, one and one-half miles from this city, and con- 
tains 45 acres) has in his dairy 36 milch cows, and owns a stock 
farm of 240 acres, situated four miles northeast of this city, on 
which he has 37 head of fine stock cattle, and nine head of 
horses. Mr. K. was born in Switzerland in 1830; came to America 
in 1852, and settled in Iowa in 1856. He was married in 1858 
to C. Hacker, of Germany, and has five children — John, Samuel, 
Louis, Harry and Annie. 

J. P. Langdon handles goods on commission and buys and sells 
second-hand goods; clothing a specialty. He was born in Green 
county, Mo., in 184 7; removed to Kansas City in 1871, and engaged 
in the wall paper business; came to this city in 1876, and was en- 
gaged in painting until 1880, when he established his present busi- 
ness. He married Emily Jane Pierce, of Canada. 

Alex, Larson, dealer in dry goods, notions and fancy goods, es- 
tablished business in 1881. He was born in Sweden, in 1847; 
came to America in 1869, and settled in Henry county. 111.; re- 
moved to Mount Pleasant, la., in 1871; thence came to this city, 
and engaged in his present business. He was married to Huld 
Appelgren, of Sweden, and has tAvo children — Gustave G., and 
Fredrick E. Mr, L. is now a naturalized citizen of the U. S. 

Arthur G. Lascelles was born near Chester, Chester county, 
Eng., July 31st, 1855; came to America in 1880, and settled in 
Sioux City. He intends soon to erect a brick livery barn on the 
corner of 6th and Douglas sts. — 50x150 ft. in dimensions. 

Charles Lambert, dealer in harness, saddles, whips, etc. — corner 
of 4th and Nebraska sts. — was born in this city in 1858. He 
learned his trade with L. Humbert of this city, and engaged in his 
present business in 1879, 

A, C, Larson, proprietor of the Oriental Steam laundry — cor. of 
Pearl and 3rd sts., — was born in Denmark in 1857; came to 
America in 1870, and settled in Iowa; came to this city in J 880. 
He married LydiaOleson. 

William Lereh, proprietor of billiard hall, was born in Germa- 
ny in 1841; came to America in 1864. He has built several of the 
business blocks in this city, and engaged in his present business in 
1870. 

John Lessenich, proprietor of the Chicago House, erected in 1881 
at a cost of $12,000, and newly furnished throughout — cor. 4th 
and Jones sts, — was born in Prussia in 1826; came to America in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. - 231 

1854; removed to Chicago; from there to Sioux City in 1867, and 
built a hotel which burned in Feb., 1881. He has served as alder- 
man, and also as township trustee. 

P. L. Lindholm, dealer in furniture, established business in 1881. 
He was born in Sweden, in 1812; came to America in 1857, and 
settled in Boone, la.; removed to this city; thence to Yankton, 
Dak., and back to Sioux City in April, 1881. He married Ellen 
Ericson, of Sweden. They have five children — Annie, Albert, 
Emil, Henry and Fi-ank. 

E. W . Loft, of the firm of Corry & Loft, architects, was born in 
Dubuque, la., in 1855, and came to Sioux City in 1881. 

G. W. Lower, former proprietor of Depot Hotel, was born in, 
Onaudaigua county, N. Y., in 1826; removed to Walworth county. 
Wis., in 1815; thence to Cedar Rapids, la., and to this city in 1868. 

Wm. Lubert, tailor, established business in 1850. He was born 
in Mecklingburg-, Schmern, Germany, in 1815; came to America 
in 1851, and settled in Cleveland, 0. He removed to Belief ontaine; 
thence to HI.; thence to this city. He married Henrietta 
Coner, and has four children — Gustavus, Jennie, Amelia and 
Carrie. 

B. Luce, proprietor of a fine stock farm (situated eight miles 
northeast of Sioux City, in Woodbury county, and contains 210 
acres), was born in Franklin county. Me., in 1838; came to this 
city in 1856, and engaged in blacksmithing until moving on to his 
farm. He married Louisa Meguier in 1855, and has six children 
• — Harry, Fred, George, Jennie, Willie and Bartlett Louis. 

Walter W. Lynch is of the firm of W. W. Lynch & Co., up- 
holsterers and repairers of all kinds of furniture, manufacturers of 
the self-adjusting spring bed, and agents for the American bird 
call, for which articles agents are wanted. The firm are also 
agents for a number of periodicals. Mr. Lynch was born in N. 
Y. in 1850; came west and engaged in railroading until he came 
to this city in 1881. He married Mary A. Montgomery. 

H. A. Lyon, dealer in breech and muzzle loading guns, and all 
kinds of sporting goods and hunter's supplies. His machine shop 
is equipped with all kinds of machinery for repairing guns, and 
machinery of any kind. He ali^o makes a specialty of safe 
work, such as opening safes whose locks have become un- 
manageable. In all, he has one of the finest gun establish- 
menes in the northwest. Mr. L. was born in Mass. in 1832; re- 
moved to Janesville, Wis., in 1851, and came to Sioux City in 1868; 
is now engineer for the fire steamer here. 

A. Macready, was born in Scotland in 1821; was raised and edu- 
cated in Glasgow, where he graduated in 1842; came to America in 
1846, and located at Patterson, N. J., where he took the manage* 



232 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

ment of two spinning mills. Afterwards he was connected with 
the banking house of John Thompson, now Thompson Bros. He 
was then sent to Kentucky as agent of the Breckenridge coal and 
coal oil companies, which made the first coal oil ever made. Mr. 
M. sold the first two barrels of oil ever sold in America, in the 
autumn of 1855. In 1856, became to this city, where he brought 
a stock of goods, which he disposed of at Sergeant's Bluffs, where 
he built the first business house erected in Woodbury county, out- 
side of Sioux City. He was appointed by President Lincoln agent 
of the Omaha Agency; was the first postmaster of Dakota City, and 
was appointed receiver in the land office at that place. He opened 
the first stage route from Fort Randall to Fort Dodge. In 1871, 
he retired from business. 

D. A. Magee, of the firm of Hattenbach & Magee, grocers and 
wholesale dealers in cigars and tobacco, was born in Pa., in 1849; 
removed in 1855 to Davenport, la., and from there to Omaha in 
1856, and engaged in milling. He came to this city in 1869, and 
took charge of the city mill and elevator until 1877, Avhen he en- 
gaged in his present business. He is now serving his third term 
in the city council and is president of the Sioux City water works. 
He married Adelia Hattenbach in 1876, and has one child — Oli- 
ver G. 

John Malmquist, of the firm of M. C. Carlstrom, & Co., dealers in 
foreign and American marble — Douglas st., opposite Journal office — 
was born in Sweden 1836; came to America in 1871, and settled 
in Vt. ; removed to Mich.; thence to Chicago^ where he remained 
four years, and came to this city in 1880. He married Julia Brown. 
They have three children — Harry, Edwin and Nathaniel. 

Geo. Maurer, manufacturer of cigars and dealer in pipes and all 
smoking materials — 4th. st. — was born in Austria in 1838; come to 
America in 1865, and settled in Cincinnati, 0.; in the spring of 
1869 he came to this city, where in 1873 he established the above 
business. While in Austria he served in the military five years 
and three months. He married Philomena Brunner, and has six 
children — Theresa, George, Anna, Flora, Minna and . 

Constant R. Marks, of the firm of Marks & Blood, attorneys at 
law, was born in Durham, Green county, N. Y.,in 1841; graduated 
from the Albany law school, and in 1868 came to this city and 
opened his present office; in 1879 he was elected to the twelfth 
general assembly, and is at present a member of the school board. 
He served three months in the late war in Co. K, 8th Mass. V. 

T. S. & J. P. Martin, dealers in dry goods and notions, came to 
this city from Galena, 111., m 1867, and in April, 1879, established 
the above business, and have one of the best stores of the kind in 
the city. T. S. Martin was in the wholesale grocery business in 
the Black Hills from 1877 to 1879. 



HISTORY OF lOW.V. 233 

F. p. Mattocks, of the firm of Mattocks & Pape, proprietors of 
the London meat market, and wholesale dealers in fish, was born 
in Pa., in 1852; came west with parents and settled in northeastern 

Ja. in 1858. He came to this city in 1869 and engaged in farming; 
has served as constable in Concord township one term. He mar- 
ried Lillian Gibbs, and has two children — Samuel 0. and Walter F. 

L. McCarty, dealer in groceries^ provisions, produce and live 
stock — corner 6th and Pearl sts — established business in 1867. 
He was born in Ireland in 1838; came to America in 1857, and 
settled in Dubuque, la.; removed to Manchester, where he re- 
mained four years, and came to this city in 1867. In The Sioux 
City Register, of 1868, Mr. M's. advertisement appears, there then 
being only one other similar advertisement in that paper, from 
this place. He has served as city treasurer, and was director of the 
Sioux City Savings bank — now National bank — and has served ten 
years as a member of the board of education. He married Eiiza 
Clinton, of Manchester, in 1863, They have ten children — ■ 
Thomas, Mary, Kate, Emma, Lizzie, Alice, Grace, Lawrence, 
Lo.retta and Helen. 

Daniel McDonald, sheriff of Woodbury county, was born in 
Livingston county, N. Y., in 1811:; removed to Wis. with his 
parents in 1849, and lived there until August 15th, 1862, when he 
enlisted in Co. B, 28th Wis. V.; served until 1865, and participated 
in a number of noted battles, among them being Helena, 
Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Spanish Fort battles. He came to 
this city in 1867, and engaged intlie livery business; was deputy 
sheriff eight years, under John M. McDonald, and was elected 
to his present office in Oct., 1881. 

G. R. McDougall, dealer in musical instruments, sewing ma- 
chines, sheet music, music books, and all musical supplies. No. 71 
Douglas street, established business in 1872. He was born in Ft. 
Edwards, N. Y., in 1821; removed to this city in 1856, and is one 
of the pioneers. He engaged in building, and the first year of his 
residence, he with others erected about thirty buildings. He next 
engaged in the furniture business. He has served as treasurer of 
this place, and was the first city marshal of Sioux City; has been 
an alderman and school treasurer several terms. He married Mary 
Macready, of this city, and has one child — Jennie Bell. 

H. J. Merrill, proprietor of the Blue Front livery barn, (keeps 
first class turnouts), was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1838; 
removed to DeKalb county. 111., in 1861, and thence to Sioux City. 
He served in the U. S. A. as sergeant of his brigade in Co. C, 105th 
III., under Captain Warner. 

Captain A. J. Millard, undertaker, corner 9th and Douglas 
streets, was born in Saratoga Springs, N. Y.; came west in 1856, 
and in November of that year located in Sioux City, where he en- 

ic 



234 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

^aged in building operations under the firm name of McDongall & 
Millard, and continued in the business twenty-two years. In 1861 
he raised a company of one hundred men, by a special order of the 
war department. The company was called the Sioux City cavalry, 
and was engaged against the Indians. He served with that 
company three years, six months of the time in an official capacity, 
by appointment of Gen. Sully. In 1863, he accompanied Gen. S. 
on an expedition as body-guard. 

E. Morley, book-keeper in Sanborn & FoUett's lumber office, was 
born in Chenango county, N. Y., in 1835; was engaged in various 
pursuits until 1867, when he came to this city and engaged as 
book-keeper. 

S. Mosher, M. D., was born in N. Y. in 1835; removed to Chi- 
cago, and was engaged there in the practice of his profession. He 
came to this city in 1871; his wife is also a practicing physician. 
They treat all diseases, acute and chronic. Mrs. M. treats all dis- 
eases peculiar to ladies and children. Dr. M. gained quite a noto- 
riety at one time by being held a prisoner by the bank robbers, 
Frank and Jesse James, who were escaping from Minn. Meeting 
the Dr., who was on his way into the countr}', east of this city, to 
make a professional visit, and thinking he was a detective, they 
held him prisoner for several hours, and then taking his horse, re- 
leased him. 

F. Munchrath, dealer in fancy goods, toys, books, stationery, 
etc., was born in Prussia in 1832; came to America in 1852, and 
located in Chicago, 111.; removed to Sioux City in 1858, and built 
the first brick building in the city. He engaged in his present 
business in 1873. He married Gertrude Krudwig, and has seven 
children living. 

Geo. W. Oberholtzer, civil engineer and county surveyor, was 
born in Chester county. Pa., in 1847; graduated at the Pennsyl- 
vania Polytechnic college in 1871; came to this city in 1872. The 
following year he was elected to his present office, and has been 
re-elected each successive year. He has been township trustee one 
term, and has, in his line of business, been connected with the 
railroads of this city. 

Andrew G. Oleson, of the firm of Anderson & Oleson, dealers in 
boots, shoe, rubbers, etc — opposite High School building — was 
born in Sweden in 18"^4; came to America in 1873, and located in 
Mass.; removed to this city, and was engaged in the boot and shoe 
store of F. P. Dean. 

Henry Page, carpenter and contractor, was born in Lancaster 
county. Pa., in 1820; removed to northern III. in 1855, and came 
to this city in 1870, where he was for a time engaged in building 
for Sharp & Beck. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 235 

J. N. Palmer, book keeper at City Mill and elevator, was born 
in Pittsford, Rutland county, Vt., in 1833. He was in the mer- 
cantile business, until he came to this city in 1873, and engaged 
in his present occupation. 

Rev. Ira N. Pardee was born in Kingston, N. Y., in 1840; re- 
ceived his education at Armenia Seminary. He united with the 
church in 1857; his first pastoral charge was at Great Barring- 
ton, Mass., where he remained the full term; in 1861 he was 
transferred to the Wyoming conference, and was two years on the 
Ararat circuit; in 1862 he Avas removed to the Tallmanville, Pa., 
circuit, and in 1864, to the Newton, Pa., circuit. He was placed 
in charge of the Plymouth church in Wyoming Valley. In 1869 
he was appointed to Great Bend station; to the Oneonta district 
in N. Y., in 18T2, and in 1875 he was transferred to the Neb. con- 
ference and stationed in Omaha. In 1877 he was again trans- 
ferred to the Northwestern Iowa conference, and stationed at Fort 
Dodge. He came to this city in 1880. For seven years he was 
prominent in Sunday School work in New York, and for the past 
two years he has managed the conference, held annually at Clear 
Lake, la. 

J. K. Prugh, dealer in queensware, glassware, brackets, chandel- 
iers, etc. — No. 57 Pearl st. — established business in April, 1881. 
Before coming to this place, he was engaged in the same line of 
business at Ottumwa, la. He has been in this business eighteen 
years. 

A. P. Provost, manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Com- 
pany, is a native of N. J.; removed to 111., in 1860, and engaged in 
manufacturing carriages. He enlisted in the late war in the 73rd 
III., V. in 1861, and was discharged in June, 1865. He returned 
to his former occupation, which he continued until he took charge 
of this company's business at Council Bluffs; settled in this city in 
Feb., 1880. 

James Puck, proprietor of the Davenport House, which was 
erected in 1881 at a cost of S5,000. This honse is a brick structure, 
and newly furnished; has a barn in connection — 4th. st., between 
Virginia and Court sts. Mr. Puck was born in Germany in 1835; 
came to America in 1853, and settled in Davenport, la. In 1869 he 
came to Sioux City and engaged in farming; then became one of 
the proprietors of the Chicago House, where he remained three 
years. 

S. J. Quincy & W. D. Buckley, attorneys at law, were born in 
Otsego county, N. Y.; located in Sioux City in 1881. S. J. Quin- 
cy was admitted to the bar in N. Y.. in 1879, and W. D. Buckley 
in Des Moines, la., the same year. They do a general law busi- 
ness. 



236 HISTOET OF IOWA. 

A. J. Rederich, dentist, was born in N. Y. City in 1842; re- 
moved to 111., in 1853, and came to this city in 1S70; graduated 
from a dental surgery college in Philadelphia in 1869, and opened 
his present office in 1870. He was married in Galena, 111., to Al- 
ice Collins. They have three children — Mary, John, and Elmore. 

Wm. T. Reeve, manufacturer of buggies, wagons, etc., also re- 
pairer and horseshoer, established business in 1872. He was born 
'in Stockholm, St. Lawrence count}^ N. Y., in 1847; removed to 
Wis., in 1858; thence to Minn., in 1871, and came to this city the 
following year. He served in the U. S. A., two years in the 193rd 
N. Y. regiment, under Col. Van Patten. He was fife-major. In 
1871 he married Laura J. Damron, of Minn. They have one 
child — Zenia M. 

E.J. Ressegieu, wholesale dealer in liquors, 2d street, established 
business in 1873. He was born in N. Y. in 1849; removed to this 
city in 1867. He has just completed an addition to his place of 
business, 18 by 36 feet, which gives him a building 34 by 36 feet. 

John Reinhart, tailor and proprietor of cleaning establishment, 
3d street, between Pearl and Water streets, was born in Germany 
in 1839; came to America in 1856, and settled in Cincinnati, 0.; 
removed to gioux Cily in 1870. 'He served in the war of the re- 
bellion three years in the 28tli 0. I. as sergeant, also served in the 
regular army three years as corporal. 

Wm. Ring, bai'ber, Pearl street under Dorman's bakery, was 
born in Germany in 1831: came to America in 1851: removed to 
St. Joe, Mo.; thence to Council Bluffs, and to Sioux City in 1867. 

L. M. Rogers, dealer in flour and feed, lower 4th street, was 
born in 111. in 1833; removed to Hardin county, la., where he was 
engaged in teaching school; thence to Cerro Gordo county; thence 
to Winnebago county. In 1858 he started for Pike's Peak, and 
that same year came to Sioux City. He was engaged in the rev- 
enue service here from 18GS to 1874. He has been deputy mar- 
shal of Woodbury county, and acted as special deputy U. S. mar- 
shal under Clark and Melendy. He served in the U. S. A. three 
years and four months under Capt. Millard, of this city; they were 
an independent company, but were afterwards attached to the 7th 
Iowa cavalry. 

C. C. Rounsevell, dealer in second-hand goods, was born in 1853; 
came to Sac county, la., in the spring of 1869; removed to Osceola 
county in 1874; thence to this city in 1881. He married Adrienne 
Cook, of St. Gilnian, la. 

Hon. William Remsen Smith, Mayor of Sioux City, was born 
atBarnegat, Ocean county. New Jersey, December 30th, 1828. At 
sixteen, he went to New York City, whence he removed to Macon, 
Mich. Returning to New York City, he studied medicine, after 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 237 

which he again located at Macon, where he practiced three years 
in partnership with Dr. Joseph Howell. In 1856 Dr. Smith re- 
moved to Sioux City. Here he practiced medicine for eleven years. 
In the spring of 18(31, ho was a first lieutenant of the Sioux City 
cavalry. About this time he was appointed government surgeon, 
holding that position until 1863. In March, 1863, he was elected 
Mayor of Sioux City. For several years after the rebellion closed, 
he acted as examining surgeon for the pension bureau. He was 
appointed receiver of the U. S. land office in 1865, and was one 
of the incorporators of the First National Bank of Sioux City, 
and of the Sioux City & St. P. and S. C. and Pembina railroads. 
Dr. Smith has held a number of minor responsible public positions. 
He was one of the honorary commissioners of Iowa to the Paris 
exposition of 1878, traveled extensively through Europe, and while 
in England was made a member of the famous Cobden Club. He 
is now a correspondent of the leading agricultural journals of 
England. He was elected to his present office in 1881. In July, 
1859, he was married to Rebecca Osborne, of Macon, Mich. 

L. C. Sanborn, of the firm of Sanborn & Follett, proprietors of 
lumber yard and sawmill, (also own one-half interest in city mill 
and elevator), established business in 1856. The machinery for 
the saw mill was shipped on the first boat that landed at Sioux 
City. At that time there was but one store in this city. Mr. 
Sanborn ^vas born in Chester, N. H., April 28th, 1827. In Jan., 
1856, he came west, and in Feb. of the same year he located at this 
place. He voted for the first city mayor, and was a member of the 
city council many years; also has served as a member of the school 
board several terms. 

Wm. Schudell, gunsmith, was born in Switzerland in 1851; 
came to America in 1872, and settled in N. Y., removed to this 
city in 1874. He married Phoebe Hoffler, of Germany. They had 
one child — William, now deceased. 

Rudolph Selzer, brewer, was born in Germany in 1828; came to 
America in 1853, and settled in Omaha, Neb., where he built a 
brewery; removed to this city in 1860, and built the first brewery 
in Woodbury county. He Avas married in 1853 to Theresa ^V^asser, 
and has five children — Charles, Emma, Otto, Lewis and Fritz. 
Charles is foreman of the works, and Lewis is book-keeper and 
clerk. 

Daniel Shannon, proprietor of Shannon's meat market, estab- 
lished business in 1879. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 
1846; removed to Ogle county, 111., in 1858; thence to Nebraska 
City in 1S73; thence to Chicago, 111., in 1874; and came to this 
city in 1875. He has served as town clerk one term. He married 
Helen V. Utley, of Syracuse, Neb. 



238 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Frank L. Sharp, proprietor of Criterion sample room and billiard 
hall — corner 3d and Douglas sts. — was born in Ind. in 1853; re- 
moved to Sioux City in 1856. 

Andrew Shulson was born in Norway in 1855; came to America 
in 1867, and settled in Canton, Dak., and engaged in farming, 
until he moved to Sioux City, where he entered the employ of the 
firm of E. C. Palmer & Co., and remained until 1881. He mar- 
ried Laura Lawson, of Canton, Dak. 

E. W. Skinner, land^ loan, and insurance agent, was born in 
Pa.; removed to Wis. in 1847, and located at Milwaukee; thence 
to Madison, and engaged in the manufacture of farm machinery 
and agricultural implements; also published the Wisconsin Farmer 
for several years. He came to Sioux City in 1872, and is secretary 
of the board of trade. 

Mr. CD. Shreeve, dealer in groceries, confectionery, dry goods, 
notions, etc. — corner of 4th and Iowa sts. Mr. C. D. Shreeve 
was born in La Porte county, Ind., in 1844; removed to Des 
Moines, la., in 1867; thence to Sioux City in 1881, and is superin- 
tendent of the city gas works. He served in the late war three 
years in the 4th Ind. cavalry. In Aug., 1881, he married Marie C. 
Haybuck, of Washington county, Penn. He has two children by 
a former marriage — Carl C. and Ora A. 

M. L. Sloan, county auditor of Woodbury county, was born in 
Harrison county, 0., in 1848; removed to la. in 1866, and to Sioux 
City in 1870, and was employed in the auditor's office as clerk. In 
1877 was elected to his present office. He was married in 1875 to 
Ida M. Hill, and has two children — Isabella P. and Alice M. 

F, M. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Farr, butter dealers, was 
born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1835; removed to Sioux City in 
1876, and engaged in his present business. 

Thomas J. Stone, founder and cashier of the First National 
bank of Sioux City, was born in Niagara county, N. Y., in 1825; 
lived for several years on a farm near Mt. Vernon, 0., and removed 
to Marion, la., in 1851. He came to this city in 1855, and en- 
gaged in banking and land business. He founded the First Na- 
tional bank in 1871, and is the largest stockholder in the bank; 
was elected county treasurer in 1871, and held the office until 1878. 
Mr. Stone's son, E. H., is a graduate of Yale College, and at pres- 
ent assistant cashier in the bank. He also has a daughter, Alice E. 

Wm. Storey, proprietor of the North Star meat market, was 
born in England in 1848; came to America in 1866, and settled 
in Sioux City, where, for some time he was in the employ of J. 
Tucker and N. L. Witcher. He married Eveline Fenton. They 
have four children — Jane E., EmmaM., Eveline M., and James E. 



HISTOKY OF IOWA, 239 

James Storey, proprietor o£ meat market, on Pearl street, was 
born in England in ISiO; came to America in 1869, and settled in 
Sioux City. He is largely engaged in buying stock. 

G. N. Swan, secretary and treasurer of Sioux City plow works, 
was born in Sweden in 1856; came to America in 1870, and settled 
in Lucas county, la. ; removed to this city in 1880, and became a 
partner in his present business in the spring of 1881. The plow 
works Avere incorporated in May, 1880, with authorized capital of 
$100,000. A noteworthy feature of this establishment is the fact 
that the stockholders are all skilled mechanics, and all work in 
the different departments of the establishment. The buildings are 
of brick and situated within a few feet of the main track of the I. 
C. R. R., and have switching conveniences to the S. C. & P., and 
the C, St. P., M. & 0. R. R's. They are now making a full line 
of walking plows, and will commence soon to include every variety 
of plows used in the west, also cultivators, harrows, and other 
agricultural implements. 

Capt. J. H. Swan, attorney at law, was born in Canada in 1833; 
moved to Ohio at an early age, with his parents; thence to St. Paul, 
Minn., in 1851; spent some time among the Sioux Indians in west- 
tern Minn.; removed to Le Sueur in 1854, and engaged in the 
study of the law; was admitted to the bar in 1857, and practiced 
until the beginning of the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted 
in Co. I, 3rd Minn. Vol., as first lieutenant. He was promoted 
to captain and served until 1865, and then went to Little Rock, 
Ark.; thence back to Le Sueur, where he remained until 1871, when 
he removed to Sioux City, and has been engaged as attorney for 
the C, M., St. P, & 0. R." R. His son, C. M., is in partnership with 
him. They do a general law business. 

William Z. Swarts, proprietor of the Red Front auction store, 
was born in Carlisle, Cumberhmd county, Pa., in 1840; removed to 
Wooster, 0., in 1844. He enlisted in Co. I, 16th 0. regiment, 
and remained in the army until Jan. 28th, 1866, when he was mus- 
tered out; served in the official capacity of orderly sergeant. He 
moved to Iowa City, la., in 1866; thence to Chicago in 1871, 
where he was engaged v\ auctioneering; thence to Sioux City in 
1873. 

C. R. Tappan, of the firm of Tappan Bros., dealers in carriage 
and buggy horses, (Teams matched and horses bought and sold. 
They make a speciality of breaking vicious and wicked horses. Any 
horse that they can not manage they agree to send bpck to the 
owner and pay charges both ways. They also stand in readiness 
to drive races, and train horses for the track.) C. R. Tappan v^as 
born in IN. Y. in 1855; removed to Neb., in April, 1879; thence to 
Sioux City in Oct.. 1881. B. M. Tappan was born in Ouandaigua 
county, N, Y., in 1857; in Sept,, 1881, he came to this city, and 



240 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

engaged in his present business. They are thorough horsemen, 
and have had long experience in handling horses. 

F. C. Thompson, dealer in real estate, and insurance agent, was 
born in Whitby, Upper Canada; removed Avith his parents to Erie 
county, N. Y.; thence to Ottumwa, la., in 1867, and engaged in 
the real estate and insurance business with C. C. Blake; thence to 
Sioux City in 1869. 

N. Tiedeman, of the firm of Tiedeman & Antlion, dealers in 
staple and fancy groceries, cigars, tobacco, etc., was born in Prus- 
sia in 1842; came to America in the spring of 1866, located in Dav- 
enport, la., and engaged in farming; removed to Sioux City the 
same year; is now an alderman of the city. 

Hugh Toohey, of the firm of Bussing & Toohey, proprietors of 
restaurant, corner of 6th and Pearl streets, established business in 
1881. He was born in Canada in 1859; came to Sioux City in 
1870, and was engaged for a time as clerk in St. Elmo hotel; was 
also employed at the Hubbard house. 

Joseph Trudell, manufacturer of carriages, buggies, etc., corner 
Pearl and 2d streets, is the patentee of the famous Trudell bolster 
plate, which is acknowledged to be the best thing of the kind ever 
invented. He was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1820; reinoved to 
St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1828; thence back to Canada, 
where he married Sophia Maynard. He next removed to Elgin, 
111.; thence to Dubuque, la., where he lived twenty-five years; 
thence in 1873 to Sioux City. He has five sons and one daughter. 

John Tucker, proprietor of the Globe meat market, Peirce street, 
Hubbard house block, established business in 1867. In 1881 he 
refitted his place of business at a cost of ^2,000, and has noAV all 
the modern improvements, his establishment being a credit to the 
city. He was born in England in 1838; came to America in 1858, 
and settled in Va. He removed to Sioux City in 18G7. 

Geo. W. Wakefield, attorney at law, was born in DeWitt county, 
111., in 1839. He enlisted in Co. F, 41st 111. Vol., and served three 
years; was wounded at Jackson, Miss., and returned to 111. He 
was admitted to the bar in De Witt county in 18G7; came to Sioux 
City in 1868, and was elected county auditor in 1869, serving three 
years, after Avhich he resumed the practice of the law. 

Rev. D. R. Watson was born in Scotland in 1841; came to 
America in 1852; received his early education at White Star sem- 
inary, N. Y. He graduated in the nine years' course at Madison 
University in 1863, and at Rochester Theological Seminary in 1871, 
with the title of A. M. His first pastoral charge was at Lowville, 
N. Y. He next went to Brandon, Vt., where he spent five years, 
and then to Wyoming Ter., where he remained five months. He 
came to Sioux City in 1881. In 1876 he married Carlie E. Cope- 
ley, and has two children — John R. and Robinson D. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 241 

W. L. Wilkins, dealer in agricultural implements, came to Sioux 
City in 1870, and soon afterwards engaged in business, under the 
firm name of Davis & Wilkins; next as Wilkins Bros.; subse- 
quently W. L. Wilkins became sole proprietor. He has one of the 
leading establishments of the kind in the city. He handles all 
first class machinery, such as McCormick's, N. C. Thompson's and 
J. I. Case's various machinery, Harrison and Whitewater wagons, 
Racine wagon and carriage company's goods, windmills, barbed 
wire, and is also a dealer in grain. 

A. C. Woodcock, dealer in groceries, produce, flour, etc., No- 
116, 4th street, was born in Westmoreland county. Pa.; removed 
to West Va.; thence to 0.; thence to Keokuk, la., where he wa 
employed in iron moulding; thence to this city. He served in the 
U. S. A. from Aug. 11th, 1862, to July, 1865, in Co. D, W. Va. 
Cav., under Gen. Custer, in the third division of Sheridan's corps; 
vras first lieutenant, and acted as brigade commissary. He was at 
the final surrender at Appomattox. The night before the surren- 
der, their division captured thirty-six pieces of artillery at Appo- 
mattox depot. His company was the last company fired upon in 
the war of the rebellion. He married Emma Van Kuren, of Me- 
dina. N. y. 

SLOAN. 

R. C. Barnard, station agent and telegraph operator, was born 
in the District of Columbia in 1829; removed to Neb. in 1857. He 
platted the townsite of Grrand Island; removed to Omaha in 18G3, 
where he was city engineer for several years; in 1868 removed to 
Council Bluffs, and engaged in the dry goods business, and in 1870 
came to Sloan and engaged in the mercantile business with Beal & 
Evans. In 1873 he took charge of his present office. 

Joseph Gravel, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Canada in 
1843; came to the U. S. in 1856, and the next year located in Sioux 
City, where he was engaged in mercantile business for three years; 
then removed to Sergeant's Bluffs, and in 1870 removed to a farm 
near Sloan, and was the original owner of the town site of that 
place. He was appointed postmaster in 1866, and held the office 
two years, when he resigned. He is now engaged in stock raising 
on a farm of about one thousand acres. 

Edwin Haakinson, shipper and dealer in live stock, was born in 
Norway in 1844; came to America in 1801. and settled in Winne- 
bago county. Wis. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 1st Wis. Heavy 
Art.; served three years, and was soon after the battle of Lookout 
Mountain taken sick with the small pox, and taken to the foot of 
the mt., and left to die; was there alone six days, survived and 
returned to tlie company, and Avas detailed to Gen. Lester's head- 
buarters as orderly, for six months; then was appointed mail car- 



242 HISTOTRT OF IOWA, 

rier between Knoxville and Greenville, Tenn. When discharged 
he returned to Wis., and engaged in ship-building. In 1869 he 
removed to Sloan, and engaged in mercantile business until lc78, 
when he engaged in his present business. He owns 180 acres of 
land near this place, and about $30,000 worth of business property 
in Sioux City. He married Carrie Hansen, in 1869, and has three 
children — Emil H., Carl, and Herbert W. Has lost one child by 
death. 

C. A. L. Olsen, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Nor- 
way, Dec. 1st, 1838; came to America in 1860, and settled in Mil- 
waukee, Wis.; was employed on the lakes as a sailor, seven years; 
came to Iowa in 1869, and settled on a farm near Sloan, and en- 
gaged in his present business in 1881. In 1867 he married Al- 
vildo Resmusen, and has seven children. 

W. M. Parker, proprieter of the Parker House, was born in Os- 
wego county, N. Y.; in 1837 removed to Adams county. Wis.; 
thence to Montana and engaged in mining; thence in 1867 went 
to Sioux City; thence in 1869 to Sergeant's Bluffs and to Sloan in 
1880 and engaged in hoteling. He married Silpha Ladd in 1859, 
they have two children. 

J. H. Scroggin, of the firm of J. H. Scroggin & Son, hardware 
dealers, was born in Tenn. in 1821; removed during childhood to 
111.; thence to Wis. in 1850; thence to Cass county,' la. in 1872 
and the next year to Sloan and bought a farm near the town and 
engaged in farming until he entered his present business, in Mar. 
1881. He was married in 1818, and had ten children. The part- 
ner of the firm W. F., owns a farm near his father's; was married 
in 1877 and has two children. 




HISTORY OF IOWA. 243 

MONONA COUNTY. 



This county lies on the Missouri River, and is in the fifth tier 
from the nortliern and southern boundaries of the State. It is 
twenty-four miles north and south, by an average of nearly thirty 
miles east and Avest, in extent, and comprises sixteen full congres- 
sional townships, and some, four or five that are fractional, embrac- 
ing in all an area of about six hundred and eighty square miles. 
The Missouri River, which is the western boundary, runs in a 
southeasterly direction, making the southern boundary line some 
twelve miles sliorter than the northern. 

A considerable area of the county is of bottom, or valley lands, 
upw^ards of one hundred and sixty-five thousand acres being in- 
cluded in the great Missouri River bottom, through the Avestern 
portion of the county. The ascent of these bottoms to the north 
is more rapid than that of the Missouri River, thus leaving a small 
portion of these valuable lands subject to overflows in high water 
seasons, and rendering them sufiiciently dry and well drained for 
easy and successful cultivation. 

The eastern portion of the county is a high and rolling prairie, 
well watered and drained by Willow Creek, Soldier and Maple Riv- 
ers, and their atfluents, all of which are surrounded by wide, beau- 
tiful and exceedingly fertile valleys. The uplands abut abruptly 
on the bottoms along the east side of the Little Sioux, presenting 
the varied and peculiar features characteristic of the bluffs along 
the Missouri bottoms throughout their extent in the State. These 
bluff's are unusually uniform in elevation, the highest point being 
not less than three hundred feet above the sea level. The uplands 
in the immediate vicinity of the bluffs, are too broken and uneven 
to be practically adapted to agricultural uses, and are cut up with 
wooded ravines, while the valleys of the smaller streams, a few 
miles inland, are bordered by gentle acclivities which ascend from 
the sloping bottoms to the well rounded and gentle divides which 
intervene between the water courses. 

Most of the streams in the eastern part of the county are 
bordered by beautiful bottom lands, varying from one-half to two 
miles in width, while the streams themselves are margined by 
grassy banks, with beds composed of mire and quicksand. The 
Little Sioux River, with several other streams, affords some good 
water powers for machinery, on which several mills have been 
established, while numerous other eligible locations still remain- 
ing will yet be properly and similarly utilized. Wells of excel- 
lent water are easily obtained in the valleys at depths varying from 
ten to twenty feet, while in the uplands it is often found neces- 
sary to sink through the bluff deposit to a depth of over one hun- 



241 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

dred feet tefore a permanent supply of water can be reached. 
Springs are found at frequent intervals issuing from the bluffs, 
and with the brooklets that are fed by them, as also with the 
larger streams, afford plenty of water for stock, whipji find excel- 
lent grazing on the uplands, while on the low-lands several varie- 
ties of native grasses furnish very nutritious hay. Several lakes 
of considerable size are found in the Missouri Valley, which are 
clear and inhabited with a variety of excellent fish. Some of 
these lakes have the appearance of having once formed a portion 
of the channel of the Missouri, which is now, however, several 
miles distant, with heavy cottonwood groves intervening. 

The soil in the valleys is usually a deep black mold or fine loam, 
it is from six to fifteen feet in depth, and produces exceptionally 
large crops of corn, and other grains, and vegetables indigenous to 
the western slope. In the Missouri bottoms, low, sandy ridges are 
frequently met with, which are the remains of bars formed by the 
currents, when the river occupied the whole width of the valley 
from bluff to bluff on either side. The bottom deposits are quite 
variable in the character of their component parts, though the 
fine, dark loam constitutes by far the greater proportion of the 
surface soil. This is generally underlaid by sand and gravel, and 
sometimes by a deposit of clay containing large quantities of par- 
tially decayed wood, and other vegetable matter, which are frequent- 
ly met with in sinking wells. Most of the upland is covered with 
a heavy coating of dark humus-charged loam, with subsoil of the 
light mulatto-colored bluff deposit. No sterile Inad is found in 
the county, for even that which is broken in the vicinity of the 
bluffs, is very fertile, and produces excellent crops of wheat, oats 
and other cereals, and in its native state produces very tine pas- 
turage for stock. 

The largest bodies of timber are the extensive groves of cotton- 
wood, which border the banks of the Missouri, while more or less 
extensive groves of this and other kinds of timber are found on 
the Little Sioux, and many of the deep ravines running further 
back into the county are densely shaded with luxuriant forest 
growths. Like most of the counties on the Missouri slope in Iowa, 
Monona County has no stone or coal, while the bluff deposit fur- 
nishes an abundance of material for the manufacture of brick, 
which must be depended upon for the future supply of building 
material. The local supply of fuel, which all comes from the for- 
ests, though ample for the present Avants, must become scarce in 
time, unless the future demand is anticipated by the cultivation of 
artificial groves. 

So far as can be ascertained, the first white man to spend the 
winter in Monona County was Aaron Cook, who with some asso- 
ciates, passed the winter of 1851 here, engaged in herding cattle. 
The first permanent settler Avas Isaac Ashton, who, in 1852, lo- 
cated about two miles north of the present town of Onawa, where, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 245 

in 1855, he laid out the town of Ashton. Philip Ashton, who was 
frozen to death in the winter of 1852, was the first white person 
to die in Monona County. Other settlers came in the summer of 
1853, in which year Josiah Sumner located in the vicinity of On- 
awa, and Aaron Cook at Cook's Landing, on the Missouri River, 
seven miles southwest of Onawa. Among others who came prior 
to 1855, were C. E. Whiting, Robert Lindley, Timothy Elliott, J. 
E. Morrison, J. B. P. Day, and B. D. Holbrook. Several of the 
early settlers came from the eastern part of Iowa, while others 
were from Illinois and the Eastern States. 

Among the early settlers of the county was Charles B. Thomp- 
son, a Mormon leader, who, with a number of followers, located 
on the Soldier River, in what is now called Spring Valley Town- 
ship, about fifteen miles southwest of the present town of Onawa. 

They commenced their settlement in 1851. Thompson called 
the place Preparation, as he designed here to prepare his apostles 
for the "good time coming." As Thompson was an important 
man in the early history of Monona county, some account of him, 
and of the enterprise in which he was a leader, will be of interest. 
He had been a follower and disciple of Joe Smith at Nauvoo, but 
went to St. Louis in 1852, and organized a church. In the sum- 
mer of 1853, he sent some of his followors as commissioners to 
look for and select a location for his people in Iowa. They selected 
the valley of the Soldier in the south part of Monona county, all 
the land at that time being vacant. 

In 1851 he brought some fifty or sixty families, and pre-empted 
several thousand acres of the best land to be found in the region. 
Some of the land he subsequently entered. Thompson regulated 
and controlled all the affairs of the colony, both temporal and spir- 
itual, pretending that he had authority to do so under the direc- 
tion of a spirit which he called Baneemy. Among other assump- 
tions, he pretended that he was the veritable Ephraim of the 
Scriptures, and directed his people to call him Father Ephraim. A 
strict compliance with his teachings divested his followers of all 
worldly care, and prepared them for the farther essential doctrine 
of his religion, that in order to obtain the Kingdom, they must 
sacrifice all their earthly possessions. They accordingly conveyed 
to him all their lands and other property, including even their 
wearing apparel, and the right to their services. 

Under this arrangement, "Father Ei^hraim" and Baneemyism 
progressed swimmingly, until the autumn of 1855, w^hen a little 
rebellion occurred under the leadership of an Elder named Hugh 
Lytle, who, with some twenty of them, began a suit in the courts 
for the recovery of their property; but they failed, and the matter 
was subsequently compromised by the Lytle party receiving some 
of their property and withdrawing from the society. 

The remainder adhered to Thompson without serious difficulty 
until the autumn of 1858. During the summer of that year, most 



246 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

of the male adults of the society were absent in other States, 
preaching the doctrines of Baneeniyism to the Gentiles. Thomp- 
son, who arrogated to himself the title of "Chief Steward of the 
Lord," took advantage of their absence to convey all the realty to 
his wife, Catharine Thompson, and to one Guy C. Barnuni, reserv- 
ing only forty acres as a homestead for himself. His disciples, 
hearing of this transaction, returned and immediately called on 
"Father Ephraim" for restitution. Being unable to obtain a sat- 
isfactory adjustment of the matter, they notified him that on a 
stated day he would be expected to meet them in Preparation to 
make settlement. 

The " Chief Steward of the Lord,'" and ''Assistant Steward of 
the Lord " Barnum, had not sufficient courage to " face the 
music," however, and postponed their visit to Preparation until 
the day after the one appointed, doubtless thinking that the 
angry crowd would have become dispersed by that time. On the 
way they were met, about a mile from the village, by a young wo- 
man who had not yet lost confidence^ in "Father Ephraim" and 
Baneeniyism, and \)*ho informed them that the people were still con- 
gregated at Preparation, and would hang him on sight; which in- 
formation had the effect on "Father Ephraim" it was well calcu- 
lated to have, especially as at about that moment of time, men on 
horseback were observed coming from Preparation at full speed, 
and heading in a!l earnestness in the direction of the Chief Steward 
and Assistant. Springing from the wagon in which they were seated, 
and unharnessing their horses, the two Stewards hurriedly sprang 
upon the backs of the animals, and the chase, which ensued, was 
of an exciting and highly interesting character. After a lively 
race of fifteen miles, across prairies and over creeks and ravines, 
the "Father" and the "Assistant Father," arrived safely in 
Onawa, where they were given protection by the citizens. 

Thompson went from Onawa to St. Louis, and Barnum remained 
in Onawa until the following spring, removing thence to Nebraska, 
where he, in course of time, became a prominent citizen. Thomp- 
son subsequently attempted to found another similar religious 
society, but was unsuccessful, and next turned his attention to 
publishing a book on the "Origin of the Black and Mixed Races," 
which book he pretended to translate largely from the Hebrew 
and Greek languages, which, it is said, he in reality knew nothing 
about. The last heard of him by his former followers in Monona, 
was to the effect that he was in Philadelphia in destitute circum- 
stances. After his flight from Preparation, his family was sent 
to him at Onawa, his followers (?) dividing the personal property 
among themselves, each taking such of his own property as he 
could identify. An action in chancery was immediately begun to 
set aside the conveyances of real estate, which litigation lingered 
in the courts for eight years, or until December, 1866, when the 
conveyances were all declared to be fraudulent, and were set aside, 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 247 

the Supreme Court of Iowa holding that Thompson held the 
property only as a trustee. The property was sold under an order 
of the court, and the proceeds were divided among the original 
contributors in ratio to the amount contributed by each. Of the 
sixty families brought to Monona by Thompson — to the settle- 
ment at Preparation — only three or four remain — to such an in- 
glorious termination was Baneenyism destined to attain. 

The proper name by which this peculiar sect sou"^ht to be known 
is said to have been the ''Congregation of Jehovah s Presbytery of 
Zion," which was contracted to "Con-je-pre-zion," and hence the 
members came to be known as the ""Conjeprezionites." Prepara- 
tion was also familiarly known as Baneemy Town. 

Monona county was organized in 1854. At the time of its or- 
ganization, it had a population of 222; its population in 1860 was 
832; in 1865 the population was 1,056; in 1870 it had reached 3,654, 
which was increased to 5,967 in 1875, and to 9,055 in 1880. 
Thirty-two votes were cast for Governor in the county in 1854; 
134 votes were cast in 1857, and in 1859, Samuel J. Kirkwood and 
A. C. Dodge, Gabernafcorial candidates j'^each received 105 votes in 
the county. 

Charles B. Thompson was appointed the first County Judge. 
This was before the location of the county seat, so that the first 
county business was transacted at Preparation. In the autumn of 
1854, the county seat was located by the commissioners appointed 
by the Legislature. They gave the place selected the name of 
Bloomfield, but there being another town of that name in the 
State, it was changed to Ashton. The county seat remained there 
until the spring of 1858, when it was removed to Onawa by a 
vote of the people. The following were the first county officers: 
Charles B. Thompson, County Judge; Guy C. Barnum, Treasurer; 
Hugh Lytle, Clerk; Homer C. Hoyt, Sheriff. 

Monona county then embraced what is now the west range of 
townships of Crawford county, but the change was made in accord- 
ance with the votes of both counties in 1865. In 1860 a vote was 
taken on the question of the removal of the county seat from 
Onawa to Belvidere, and another vote was taken in 1862, on the 
removal to Areola; both of which attempts, however, failed, and 
the location of the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad may be said to 
have, in all probability, finally settled the question. 

The first newspaper was published bv ''Father Ephraim" Thomp- 
son at Preparation, and was called Zion Harbinger and Weekh/ 
Messenger. Thompson also published a monthly periodical. Dur- 
ing the continuance of this paper, it flourished under several dif- 
ferent names, such as the Weekly News and Messenger and the 
Democratic Messenger. This paper was started in 1854; in 1855, 
Thompson published a paper called the Onaica Adventure. In 
November, 1860, a paper was commenced at Onawa, by A. Dim- 
mick and D. W. Butts, called the Monona Cordon. The next pa- 



24S HISTORY OF IOWA. 

per, the West Iowa Gazette, was started by Mr, Butts about the be- 
ginniag o£ 1863, and was succeeded in 1865 by the Monona 
Counti/ Gazette, the first number of which was issued December 
2d, 1865, F. M, Howdendobler and C. H. Aldridge being the pub- 
lishers. The People's Press made its first appearance in Ouawa 
in 1870. 

The first frame house erected in the county was built at Prep- 
aration in the summer of 1853, of materials brought from Potta- 
wattamie county. Thomas Lewis taught the first school in the 
county at Preparation in the same year. In 1851 the first lumber 
was sawed at Preparation. Amos Chase, at the same settlement, 
was the pioneer blacksmith. John S. Blackburn began the mak- 
ing of that very palatable article, corn meal, in 1857. In 1857, a 
frame school house was erected at Ash ton. 

The first officers of Ashton Township were: Lorenzo D. Driggs, 
J. B. Gard; Justices of the Peace; Josiah Sumner, Isaac Ashton, 
J. B. Gard, Trustees; Aaron Cook, Clerk; Lorenzo Driggs, Asses- 
sor; J. Sumner, M.Owens, Constables. 

The present county officers of Monona county are: C. H. 
Aldridge, Clerk; James Walker, Sheriff"; John'X. McCasky, 
Auditor; G. H. Bryant, Treasurer; M. W. Bacon, Recorder; J, B. 
P. Day, Surveyor; J. G. Iddings, Superintendent of Schools; G. 
M. Scott, E. Wilber, Fred. McClausland, Board of Supervisors. 

The Sioux City & Pacific Railroad traverses the county from 
north to south, along its western border. A branch of the Chicago 
& Northwestern enters Monona County at the northeast corner, 
and terminates at Mapieton Station. This line is, it is presumed 
to be built through the county, touching Onawa, and extended 
into Nebraska, crossing the Missouri at Decatur. Another line, 
running from a point in the western part of Crawford county, 
through Monona County, and passing on to Sioux City, is looked 
forward to. This line is expected to be built by the W. & St. P. 
company, and will pass about ten miles east of the county seat. 

The towns of Monona County are: Whiting, situated in the 
northwestern part, on the Sioux City & Pacific; Mapieton, to the 
northwest; Soldier, to the southeast, and Onawa in the western 
part of the county. 

ONAWA. 

The prosperous and progressive town of Onawa, the county seat 
of Monona County, is located near the middle line of the county, 
north and south, and about eight miles east of the Missouri River, 
but only about four miles from the nearest point on the river to 
the southwest. The Monona Land Company laid out Onawa in 
1857, including in its area about six hundred acres, with about six 
bundled additional acres of out-lots. The principal streets run 
oast and Avest, and are one hundred and fifty feet in width, the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 249 

other streets being eighty feet wide, witli .illeys sixteen feet wide. 
Two blocks were reserved in the northern part of the town for 
public parks. 

S. S. Pearse built the first house in Onawa July 2d, 1857; the 
Onawa House was raised on the 4th of the same month, by J. E. 
Morrison. Among the first settlers were Judge C. E. Whiting, J. 
E. Morrison, Timothy Elliott, R. G. Fairchild and S. S. Pearse. 

Surrounded by an excellent farming country, with plenty of 
timber within two or three miles, Onawa is certain to develop into 
a point of considerable importance. Since its incorporation, and 
the completion of the railroad, the population of the town has 
steadily increased. Onawa is thirty-seven miles from Sioux City, 
about sixty-five miles from Council Bluffs, and thirty-eight miles 
from Missouri Valley Junction, 

Up to 1868, Onawa remained a sub-district of Franklin township 
district. A petition was presented in that year, praying for a spec- 
ial election to vote upon the question of the organization of an in- 
dependent school district. This petition was granted, and the or- 
ganization was effected February 22d, 1868. The members of the 
Board, for the first year, were: Charles Atkins, President; James 
Armstrong, Vice-President; F. M. Snow, Secretary; N. A. Whit- 
ing, Treasurer; R. G. Fairchild, L. D. Sittle and J. E. Selleck, Di- 
rectors. The first school taught in the town was taught by A. R. 
Wright, now of Sioux City, in a little log school house, now on 
Main street, about the year 1857. There was a brick school house — 
28x50 feet in dimensions, and one-story high, erected subse- 
quently, which was successfully utilized until the building of the 
present edifice in 1874. The present public school building is a 
fine brick structure, 48x85 feet, and three-stories high. It con- 
tains six rooms. The building cost in the neighborhood of S20,- 
000. The present school officers are: Board of Education — J. K. 
McCaskey, President; S. B. Martin, Secretary; C. H. Holbrook, 
Treasurer; N. A. Whiting, B. D. Holbrook, G. E. W^arner, J. E. 
Selleck, M. Vincent, members of the Board. The corps of teach- 
ers as composed at this writing, is as follows: W. H. Dempster, 
Principal; Belle M. Gilcrest, Assistant Principal: W. J. Maugh- 
lin, Annie C. Gillette, D. E. Smith, Flora J. Maughlin, Bessie 
Gray, teachers. Present enrollment, about 300. The school build- 
ing is a model of architectural beauty and finish, the rooms are 
large, heated by means of furnaces, ventilated in accordance with 
the Ruttan system, and furnished with single and combination 
desks. 

The Court House at Onawa was built by the Monona Land 
Company in 1858, and donated to the county. The building cost 
about $7,000, 

A summarized history of Monona county's newspapers has been 
given hitherto. Room — or rather want of room — only suffices 
here to say that the Monona County Gazette was taken charge of 



250 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

in 1879 bj W. A. Grreeu alone, who ran the paper until 1870, 
when it subsequently passed into the ownership of the Gazette 
Publishing Compan}'^, with Mr. J. D. Ainsworth as the editor. In 
1875, Ainsworth became sole proprietor, and has continued to hold 
the fort in a most commendable way. The Gazette is an eight- 
column folio, and has a circulation in excess of 800 copies. 

The first railroad was completed to Onawa in November, 1867. 
The town gave the company the right of way, and lots, and cash 
to the amount of $8,000, besides donating twenty acres of land- 
for depot grounds. Onawa has a reasonable prospect for a rail- 
road from Mapleton during the present year. 

The date of the platting of Onawa was the year 1857. The 
following persons composed the Monona Land Company: T. 
Elliott, J. E. Morrison, J. L. Merritt, C. E. Whiting, R. G. Fair- 
child, S. S. Pearse, A. B. Gard, W. S. Phillips, A. Dimmick; 
Judge Whiting being the President; T. Elliott, Treasurer; S. S. 
Pearse, Secretary. 

The first Mayor of Onawa was Dr. R. Stebbius. Present 
municipal officers: H. E. Morrison, Mayor; T. P. Noble, Record- 
er; J, C. Pike, D. B. Kenyon, John Cleghorn. J. R. Thurston, 
T. C. Walton, Council. 

The business interests of Onawa may be classiHed, with reason- 
able accuracy, as follows: 

General stores, four; groceries, three; drugstores, two; millinery, 
three; harness, two; hardware, two; meat markets two; clothing, 
one; Jewelry, one; agricultural implements, two; flour and feed, 
one; bank, one; barber shop, one; hotels, three; blacksmith shops, 
three; furniture, one; boots and shoes, two; livery, two; lumber, 
one; flouring mill, one; fancy goods, one; saloons, two. 

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES. 

Congregational Church Society. — The Congregational Society 
was organized June 27th, 1858, by Rev. G. G. Rice, of Council 
Bluffs, and Rev. Reuben Gaylord, of Omaha. The first-named 
gentleman Avas the society's first pastor, and he was succeeded by 
the Rev. George L. WoodhuU, who died October 1st, 1870, aged 
28 years. Mr. WoodhulTs successor was the present pastor, Rev. 
Charles N. Lyman, who assumed the charge January 1, 1871. The 
church edifice was erected in 1870, and was dedicated in Decem- 
ber of that year. The cost was $6,000. Prior to the erection of 
this building, the society held its services in the Court House. The 
present membership of the society is fifty-five. A Sabbath School, 
with an average attendance of seventy-rive pupils, is connected 
with the church. The superintendent of the school is the Rev. 
Charles N. Lyman. 

^ Metho list Episcopal Church Society. — The Methodist Episcopal 
Society was organized October 9th, 1870, by Rev. J. F. Walker, 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 251 

who was the first pastor. The successive pastors were: Revs. L. 
H. WoodAvorth, A. L. Mattison, 0. S. Brvan, J. B. Starkey, J. 
Warner, H. W. Jones, S. W. Owen, C. E. Chase, F. A. Burdick 
and A. J. Beebe, the hitter being the present pastor. The edifice 
now in use was built in 1873, at a cost of $2,000. The society had 
previously held services in the public school house. The present 
membership is forty-three. The society has a parsonage, which 
was built in 1873. during Rev. Starkey's pastoral term. There is 
also a Sabbath School with about seventy-five pupils, the superin- 
tenaent of which is Miss D. E. Smith. The present Trustees of 
the society are: M. W. Bacon, S. W. Grow, L. D. Sittle, W. C. 
MarrandT. C.Walton. 

Roman Catholic Church Society. — The Catholic Church Society 
at Onawa may be considered to date its existence from the build- 
ing of its church edifice in the latter part of 1872. Mass had been 
celebrated there occasionally, as far back as 1866, and in 1867, 
when Bishop Hennessy assumed charge of the western part of 
the State, Avhich, during the government of his predecessor, 
Bishop Smythe, had been administered by the late Bishop O'Gor- 
mau, of Omaha. Mass Avas celebrated prior to 1866, by priests 
of the Diocese of Nebraska, and particularly by Father Tracy, 
of old St. John's, who had charge from the Yellowstone to the 
Platte. Rev. B. C. Lenehan is the present pastor. 

Monona Lodge No. 380, I. 0. 0. F. — This Lodge was organ- 
ized June 7th, 1878, by Grand Master A. J. Morrison. The 
charter members were: E. W. Holbrook, H. W. Cady. L. H. 
Belknap, John Douglas, C. M. Ross, J. S. Baggs, D. L. Utterback, 
James Carmody, R. Horning and J. K. McCaskey. The first 
officers were: J. K. McCaskey, N. G.; J. Carmody, Y. G.; J. 
Douglas, S.; E. W. Holbrook, T. The membership of the Lodge 
is twenty-eight. Present officers: P. T. Noble, N. G.; Geo. W. 
Penn, Y. G.; L. D. Sittle, S.; AY. M. Bacon, T. The meetings 
of the Lodge are held on every Saturday night of each week in 
the hall of the society over the bank. 

VesjJer Lodge No. 223, A. F. and A. M. — A dispensation was 
granted to this Lodge August 28th, 1867. The first officers were: 

F. W. Snow, W. M.; James Butts, S. W.; Truman Pierce, J. W.; 
Charles Atkins, S.; Fred McCouslan, T.; VY. A. Grow, S. D.; M. 
A. Treeland, J. D.; John Baggs, Tyler. Acharter was granted the 
Lodge June 3d, 1868. The charter members were F. VV. Snow, 
James Butts, Truman Pierce and other wortny gentlemen. The 
present officers are: James Walker, W. M.; H. Douglas, S. W.; 

G. E. Warner, J. W.; J. D. Ainsworth, S.; R. Stebbins, F. S.; B. D. 
Holbrook, S.D.; D. Handle, J. D.; J. D. Giddings, S. S.; 0. D. 
Bishop, J. S.; F. W. Snow, Tyler. The Lodge meets every 
Wednesday, on or after each full moon, in the hall over the bank. 
The membership of this society is thirty-eight, and it is in a flour- 
ishing condition. 



252 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Monona County AgricuJfural Association. — This association was 
organized in the spring of 1871, as a stock compan3^ The first of- 
ficial board of directors was composed of the following-named gen- 
tlemen: C. E. Whiting, Fred McCausland, J. E. Morrison, M. A. 
Freeland, W. CI. Kennedy, A. Dimmick and E. Peak. The first 
officers were: C. E. Whiting, President; M. A. Freeland, Vice- 
President; James Walker, Secretary; B. D. Holbrook, Treasurer. 
The association owns thirt3^-five acres of land situated about one 
mile north of Onawa, which land is enclosed with a good, substan- 
tial fence. Inside the enclosure is Floral Hall, an excellent build- 
ing, with dimensions of 20x40 feet, as well as an additional ''L," of 
21x60 feet. There are also a fine Amphitheatre and good stables 
and cattle-sheds. A half-mile race-track is another improvement. 
All these are in good condition. The present board of directors is 
composed of W. T. Boyd, A. Oliver, J. D. Woodward, J. B. P. 
Day, R. G. Fairchild, C. E. Whiting and G. E. Warner. The 
present officers are: A. Oliver, President; J. B. P. Day, Vice- 
President; J. D. Ainsworth, Secretary; B. D. Holbrook, Treasurer. 
The society is in a very prosperous condition. Its last annual 
fair, the ninth, was held in September, 1881. 

Monona Count ij Old Settlers' Association. — This association 
was organized in August, 1879, by C. E. Whiting, R. Stebbins, 
T. R. Carratt, J. E. Morrison, Judge Oliver, F. H. Day and others. 
The first officers were: F. H. Day, President; C. E. Whiting, C. 
M. Scott, W. L. Ring, Vice-Presidents; James Walker, Secretary, 
R. Stebbens, T. R. Carratt, John Heisler, James Robinson, J. D. 
Woodward. Executive Committee. Present Officers: W. L. 
Ring, President; F. F. Roe, T. Elliott, G. M. Scott, Vice-Presi- 
dents; James Walker, Secretary and Treasurer; J. B. P. Day. C, 
E. Whiting, Judge Oliver, J. Cleghorn, Executive Committee. 
The present membership of the association is about 275. 

MAPLETON. 

This growing town was platted in the autumn of 1877, by the 
railroad company. The first hotel was built by A. P. Kennedy in 
1877, The Maple River branch of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, was completed from Maple River Junction, the first 
train arriving in October, 1877. A branch of the C, M. & St. P. 
R. R. from Sioux City to Mapleton is now graded, and will ere 
long be placed in running order. 

In September, 1877, J. Garrison built the first store in Maple- 
ton. It was 10x12 feet in dimensions. The Messrs. Scott soon 
afterwards built the store they now occupy. 

The first settlers in the village were: J. Garrison, W. F. Scott 
and brothers, W. F. McHenry and B. Whiting, who settled here 
in the autumn of 1877. The town was incorporated in 1878, with 
J. F. Scott as Mayor. The population is about GOO. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 253 

The Mapletou Bank was organized October 3cl, 1878, with B. 
Whiting, President; N. H. Bliss, Cashier, and with abundance of 
capital. It is a flourishing and substantial institution. At pres- 
ent, B. Whiting is the President, C. I. Whiting, Cashier. 

The schools of Mapleton are graded, and in excellent condition. 
A handsome structure was erected in 1880-81, at a cost of $3,500. 
J. A. Wakefieki is the Principal. About 100 pupils are enrolled. 

An order of Odd Fellowship was organized Sept 11th, 1879, with 
five charter members. J. Huttou was the first N. G. The Lodge 
now has twenty-five members. 

A Masonic order was organized in July, 1880, Avith ten charter 
members. The present membership is fifteen. J. D. Rice was 
the first Master of this Lodge. 

The Presbyterian Church Society was organized July 31st,'1881, 
by Rev. A. K. Baird, assisted by Rev. J. C. Gilkerson, the'present 
pastor, with a membership of seventeen. The church officers are 
one Elder and three Trustees. 

The M. E. Church Society of Mapleton was organized by Rev. 
Thomas Cuthburt, during the year of 1880. The church edifice, a 
neat and durable brick building of-^the Gothic style, 32x50 feet in 
dimensions, was erected during the same year, at a cost of 82,300, 
and the 'following Trustees Avere appointed: W. E. Roberts, 
President; B. Whiting, Treasurer; George Adams, Secretary; A. 
W. Cobland, G. A. Smith, Trustees. The Society is small, but grow- 
ing, was organized with a membership of six, and noAv numbers 
twenty. During the year, 1881, the Society built a parsonage at a 
cost of 8800, the building being in every way highly creditable to 
the organization. There is, in this connection a Sabbath School, 
with an average attendance of eighty. W. E. Roberts is the 
Superintendent. Rev. H. P. Dudley is the present pastor. 

The Baptist Church Society was organized in;" March, 1866, by 
Rev. George Scott. Its membership is thirty-eight. Rev. W. H. 
Dorward is the present pastor. 

The Mapleton cornet band was organized in 1880, with ten 
members. A. I. Lanterman is the leader. 

Mapleton's business and professional establishments are repre- 
sented as follows: Four general stores, one [newspaper — the 
Mapleton Press— one bank, four hotels, two livery stables, two 
hardware stores, three saloons, two blacksmiths, one boot and 
shoe store, one grocery, one millinery store, one harness shop, four 
physicians, two grain dealers, two lumber yards, one wagon factory, 
one furniture store, one farm machinery establishment, two meat 
markets, four dealers in live stuck. - 

An article with the captivating caption. "Society in' Mapleton," 
says: "Mapleton will compare favorably with older towns east 
or west as regards^ social privileges. Although a toAvn of only 
eighteen months' growth, we here find manv advantages that 
would be prized by those^seeking homes in' the West. 



254 HT3T0RT OF IOWA. 

"Oar people are mostly from the Eastern States, and are well 
informed, public spirited and up with the times. As yet we are 
without an organized church, but union services and Sunday school ■ 
are regularly held in the public hall, and there is a prospect that 
either a Presbyterian or Congregational society will soon be 
formed. The Methodist Episcopal church contemplate building a 
house of worship the coming summer. 

"The 'Blue Ribbon' movement has reached Mapleton, and up- 
ward of 200 have signed the pledge. It is to be hoped that efforts 
that have been made in this direction will not be in vain. 

''A literary society has been sustained during the past winter 
with considerable interest. Lectures, readings, concerts and other 
entertainments have not been wanting to afford amusement for 
the winter evenings. The many demands for money incident to 
carrying on the enterprise of a new town are met with cheerful- 
ness and a ready response by our citizens and no laudable undertak- 
ing has yet failed for the lack of means. 

"A tax has been levied in Maple Township and partly collected 
for the purpose of erecting a substantial school building, that will 
be the pride of our city. A mayor, six alderman, and other effi- 
cient officers manage municipal affairs; quiet and good order uni- 
versally prevail in our midst, 

"People looking for homes in Western Iowa should visit Maple- 
ton before deciding on a permanent location." 

The following is taken from editorial correspondence to the 
Carroll (la.) Herald : " Western Iowa is constantly furnishing 
examples of the sudden rise and rapid growth of new towns. The 
wild prairie of yesterday is frequently transformed into the busy 
and bustling center of trade to-day. One of the most notable of 
these instances is found in the history of Mapleton, from which 
place I write. Theto^vn was platted in the fall of 1877, and is 
consequently less than a year and a half old. The Maple River 
branch of the Northwestern road reached here about the middle 
of October, 1877. At that time there was no settlement worth 
mentioning. Now the town numbers five hundred inhabitants, 
and is growing steadily. The railroad, which leaves the main line 
sixty miles southeast, terminates at Mapleton. By virtue of this 
fact, the place enjoys exceptional advantages over other towns on 
the line. It is located near the beautiful Maple River in the far- 
famed Maple Valley, long noted as comprising within its limits 
the finest farming land in the west, but until recently not accessi- 
ble by railroad. It will doubtless remain the terminal -station for 
years to come, and its present prosperity cannot but increase in 
the future. Although Mapleton is young, it has none of the 
characteristics of a mushroom town. The buildings are ex- 
tremely creditable and calculated for permanency. Many of 
the residences are handsome and attractive. The location of the 
town is excellent. It lies on high, but nearly level ground,, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 255 

sloping just enough to afford good drainage. The residence lots 
are all superior, and there is ample room for a large city. The 
land surrounding it is unexcelled for agi'icultural purposes, nearly 
every acre being tillable. The Maple River furnishes numerous 
water powers, there being three grist mills within five miles of 
the town." 

WHITING. 

Although comparatively young, in respect to many other 
Western Iowa towns. Whiting has made rapid strides since its 
first settlement. A complete representation of its more enter- 
prising business establishments will be found among the bio- 
graphical data hereunto appended. 



MONONA COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES 



ONAWA. 



James Butts, M. D., was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 
1822; remained at home until twenty-one years of age; then began 
the study of medicine. He moved to Wis, in 1856, and engaged 
in the practice of medicine; was also postmaster while in that 
State. He removed to Kans. in 1860, traveled extensively through 
the west, settled at Onawa in 1866, and has practiced medicine 
there ever since. He cpened a drug store in 1873, and after four 
years, sold it. He has been twice married; the first time in 1844, 
and to Lucy L. Crawford, in 1880. 

I. Cummings, dealer in groceries and provisions, was born in N, 
Y. in 1844; removed to Fremont county, la., in 1855; thence to 
Chicago, 111., in 1871, where he remained five years, and located in 
Onawa, la., in 1877. In 1881, engaged in the present business, by 
buying out J. R. Thurston. 

John Douglas, jeweler and music dealer, was born in Scotland 
in 1851; came to America in 1872, and settled in Neb.; moved to 
Onawa in 1876, and engaged in his present business. He was 
married in 1876, and has two children — Mary, and an infant 
daughter. 

W. J. Eva, harness manufacturer, Avas born in Wis. in 1847; 
removed to Worthington, Nobles county, Minn,, in 1872; thence 
to Onawa, la,, in 1876, and engaged in his present business in 
1878, He was married in 1875 to Lucy Manning, and has three 
children. 



256 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

B. D. & Chas. Holbrook, proprietors of the bank at Ouawa, came 
from Pa. to this city in 1857, and engaged in the Law, loan and real 
estate business, until 1865, when they opened the bank. H. E. 
Morrison is cashier of the bank. 

A. G. Hurst, farmer and stock dealer, was born in lud. in 1832; 
removed with parents in 1836 to 111.; thence to Newton, la. In 
1855 came to Ashton, near Onawa. He enlisted in March, 1862, 
in Co. K., 17th la., and) re-enlisted as a veteran in the same com- 
pany. He was taken prisoner with the rest of the regiment and 
confined at Andersonville one hundred and eighty-five da3's; was 
discharged at Davenport, la., June 16th, 1865, and returned to 
Monona county, and engaged in farming and dealing in stock. He 
was married in 1859, to Julia Brink, and has ten children. 

W. H. Kelsey was born in N. Y. in 1841. He enlisted in Co. B, 
64th N. Y. Vol., in 1861, was discharged in 1862; re-enlisted in the 
13th N. Y. Heavy Art. as a veteran, and was again discharged in 
1865. He was one of five brothers, who enlisted; two were killed 
and the others disabled in the service. He came to Onawa in 1865. 
He was marriedjin 1877. 

D. B. Kenyon, miller and grain dealer, was born in N. Y. in 
1845; removed to Wis. in 1856, and from thereto Onawa in 1872, 
and engaged in his present business. He was married in 1869 to 
N. F. Freeland. They have one son and two daughters. 

C. G. Perkins, postmaster, and dealer in general merchandise, 
was born in Rockingham county, N. Y.,in 1830; removed to Wis, 
in 1855, and engaged in farming. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. 
G, 19th Wis., and was discharged in 1865; then came to Onawa, 
and engaged in farming four years. He was then elected county 
recorder; resigned in 1872. He was a member of the 14th assem- 
bly in 1872-3; engaged in his present business in 1873. He was 
married in 1853 to II. S. Stearns, and has three children — C. W., 
Mary W. and Addie M. 

P. Sawyer, proprietor of city blacksmith shop, was born in Ox- 
ford county, Me., in 1846. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. D, 28th 
Me. Vol.; was discharged in 1863, and went to Concord, Mass.; 
thence to Onawa in 1865. He was married in 1867, to M. T. Cun- 
ningham. They have four children — Edwin E., Altha M., Earl, 
and Margie. 

John W. Somers, druggist, was born in N. C. in 1834; removed 
to Champaign county. 111., in 1843 and was clerk of the courts for 
several years. He enlisted in 1862 in the 76th 111. Vol. as a pri- 
vate; was promoted to commissary sergeant, then to first lieuten- 
ant, and regimental quarter-master; left the army in 18G5, and re- 
turned to 111. He engaged in the drug business in 1807 at Urbana, 
and in 1879 removed to Onawa, and again engaged in the drug 
business. He was married in 1858 to Sarah J. Fitzgerald. They 
have one son and one daughter. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 257 

Richard Stebbins, M. D., and drugfrist, was born in Springfield, 
Mass., in lS2-i. He was educated JPor a physician; removed to 
Council Bluffs in 1857, and engaged in the practice of medicine; 
remained there six months; removed to Onawa, and continued the 
practice of his profession, and engaged in the drug business in 
1864. He was married in 1859 to Mary J. Billings, and has a son 
and a daughter. 

J. R. Thurston, proprietor of the Onawa House, was born in 
Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1833; removed to Cass county, la., in 
1856; thence to Onawa in 1860, and engaged in farming, until 
1877, when he engaged in the mercantile business, which he sold 
in 1881, and engaged in his present businees. He was married in 
1855, and has live children. 

T. C. Walton, proprietor of the AYalton House, was born in 
Somerset county, Me., in 1829; removed to Wis., in 1854, and re- 
mained two years and returned to Me. In 1864 he again removed 
to Wis., settling in St, Croix county, and engaged in the drug 
business. In 1869 he came to Onawa, la., and in 1871 built the 
hotel he now occupies. He has been twice married, and has four 
children — Lona, Ida, Geo. and William. 

Maj. George E. Warner, dealer in general merchandise, was 
born in Sullivan county, N. H., in 1843. He went to Boston, 
Mass., at the age of twelve to learn the dry goods business. In 
1862 he enlisted in the 6th Mass. battery, and at the end of six 
months, entered the 10th U. S. colored corps as first lieutenant; 
was promoted to Major, and discharged in that rank in 1867; came 
to Onawa, la., and engaged in his present business. He was mar- 
ried in 1868 to Mollie E. Morrison, of Onawa, and has one child, 
a daughter. 

N. A. Whiting, dealer in general hardware, was born in N. Y., 
in 1823; lived on a farm until eighteen years of age; then learned 
carriage making, in which business he was engaged for fifteen 
years in 0. and Ala. He came to Onawa, la., in 1857, and the 
following year engaged in his present business. He was married 
in 1853, and has three children — Eva, Charles and Estella. Chas. 
is engaged in the banking business at Mapleton, la. 

W. G. Woods, dealer in grain, enlisted in 1864 in Co. E, 48th 
Wis., and was discharged in 1865. He was married in 1873, to Ma- 
tilda Barber, and has one sou and one daughter — Arthur and Zellie. 

MAPLETON. 

J. Q. Adams, proprietor of the Mapleton dray line, was born in 
Franklin county, Me., in 1837; moved to Iowa in 1854. He 
moved to Onawa in 1858, and engaged in farming. He engaged 
in his present business in Mapleton, Jan. 25th. 1881. 



258 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

G. H. Butler, of the firm of G. H. Butler & Co., furniture deal- 
ers, was born in Ind.; moved to la. in 1856, and engaged in mill- 
ing. He moved to Monona county, la., in 1865, and engaged in 
farming, and in 1878, engaged in his present business. 

J. R. Cameron, dealer in general merchandise and grain, is a 
native of Ohio; came to la. in 1852, and engaged in the land busi- 
ness. He came to Monona county in* 1878, and engaged in the 
grain and land business, and, in 1880, added the mercantile busi- 
ness. He was agent for the railroad company for three years. 

J. R. Chapman, dealer in lumber, coal and builders' supplies, is 
a native of N. Y.; moved to Ohio when young, and to Scott 
county, la., in 1860. He came to Mapleton, in 1877, and engaged 
in his present business. 

J. Garrison, hardware dealer, was born in 111.; moved to Iowa in 
1873, and located in Calhoun county, and engaged in farming. He 
moved to Dunlap, and engaged in the mercantile business; thence 
to Mapleton, in the autumn of 1877, and built thefirst store in the 
place, and entered the mercantile business. 

Porter Hamilton, of the firm of Hamilton Bros., dealers in farm 
machinery and lumber, was born in 111.; moved to Cedar Rapids, 
la., in 1872; thence to Mapleton in the autumn of 1877, and en- 
gaged in his present business. During 1881, his sales of farm ma- 
chinery amounted to ^25,000. 

Samuel Holliday, proprietor of the City billiard hall, was born 
in Muscatine county, la., in 1812, and engaged in farming, until 
entering his present business in 1880. 

T. Martin, proprietor of blacksmith and wagon shop, is a native 
of 111.; moved to la. in 1880, and engaged in his present business. 

M. Morgan, of the firm of Butler & Morgan, grocers, was born 
in Scott county, la., in 1816. He enlisted in May, 1861, in the 
44th la. regiment, and was discharged in autumn of the same 
year. He re-enlisted in Jan., 1865, in the 20th, la., Co. G; was 
transferred to the 29th la. regiment, and in Sept., 1865, returned 
to Iowa, and engaged in farming. He located at Mapleton in 
1879, and entered his present business in Jan., 1881. 

J. D. Rice, attorney at law; is a native of N. Y.; moved to 
Marshall, la., in 1874; thence to Mapleton in 1878, and engaged 
in the practice of the law. He is a member of the school board. 

W. E. Roberts, agent for the C. & N. W. R. R., is a native of 
England; came to America when quite young, with parents, and 
settled in Wis.; moved to Tama county, la., in 186S. He after- 
waris moved to Battle Creek, as agent for the railroad company; 
thence to Mapleton in Nov., 1880. 

W. F. Scott, of the firm of Scott Bros., dealers in general mer- 
.chandise, is a native of W. Va.; moved to Clinton county, la., in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 259 

ISGJ:, and to Denison in 1871, and engaged in the mereantile busi- 
ness. He came to Mapleton in 1877, erected a large store building, 
and engaged in his present business. He was appointed postmaster 
in Dec, 1881, and is also exj)ress agent. 

B. B. Snyder, proprietor of the Stowell House, is a native of 
Pa.; came to Logan, la., in 1876, and engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness. He erected one of the first hotels in Mapleton, and opened 
his present house in 1881, which is in charge of his son, James S. 
Snyder. 

WHITING. 

Cassady & Whiting, dealers in general merchandise, located in 
Whiting in June, 1880. Mr. Cassady is a native of 0.; moved to 
la. in 1867, and settled near this place. W. C. Whiting is a native 
of Monona county, and has always resided in it. 

Koon & Dimmick, dealers in general hardware, established busi- 
ness in Dec, ISSl. Mr. Koon came to Mills county, la., in 1868, 
from 111.; thence to Monona county in 1873. Mr. Dimmick is a 
native of Pa.; moved to Ashton, la., in 1856; thence to Whiting in 
1881. 

D. Rust, M. D., of the firm of Rust & Morley, druggists, was 
born in 111.; moved to Fremont county, la., in 1876. He estab- 
lished his present business in Whiting in 1879, and in 1880 L. A. 
Morley became a partner. They do a general drug business, and 
deal in paints, oils, etc. 

Lyman Whittier, the pioneer merchant of AVhiting, was born 
in Essex county, Mass.; came to la. in 1870, and located at Mis- 
souri Valley and engaged in the mercantile business; removed to 
Whiting in 1873, and built the first store and started his present 
business. ' He enlisted in Oct., 18G2, in the 1st battery of Mass. 
heavy artillery, and served until June 1865. Mr. W. traveled ex- 
tensively through Eui'ope during the year 1879. He Avas appointed 
postmaster of Whiting in 1873, and has held the office ever since. 

A. G. Wight, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Ohio; 
moved to la. in 1865, and settled in Monona county in 1867. In 
1875 he moved to Whiting and engaged in the hotel and livery 
business which he still continues, and in 1876 engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. 



260 HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHEROKEE COUNTY, 



If there is any one class of men who deserve more than another 
to have their names perpetuated in history, it is, perhaps, the hardy 
pioneers who left their homes of comfort and luxury in the old 
Eastern States, and, voluntarily abandoning all the comforts of 
home anl civilized life, plunged boldly into the unknown and lim- 
itless prairies that spread out beyond the great Father of Waters, 
to explore the mysteries of this mighty region, and to open up new 
fields of industry for themselves and their posterity. To the his- 
torian, no more delightful task presents itself, than to recount 
their deeds of daring, to chronicle their persistent self-sacrificing 
eflForts, to recite their marvelous achievements, to tell of the in- 
domitable pluck, energy and determination that characterized their 
movements, and then to make the wonderful transformation all 
this has effected in one of the grandest countries the sun ever 
shown down upon. To the individual who visits this section to- 
day, these recitals seem like fairy tales. He cannct comprehend, 
as he sits in his elegant palace coach, and is whirled from one city 
aud village to another, almost with the speed of the wind, or skims 
along the iron track through waving fields of the richest grain, 
that a few short years ago this section was tenanted only by wild 
animals and the equally wild and savage red-man; and his wonder 
is still further increased; as he notes, on every hand, the commo- 
dious and even elegant farm buildings, and sees the innumerable 
herds of fine cattle grazing on the nutritious grasses. The transi- 
tion has indeed been wonderful, but probably nowhere more marked 
than in Cherokee County, where, a trifle over thirty-six 3^ears ago, 
no sign of civilization could meet the eye throughout its entire 
lengtJi and breadth. But a country of such surpassing beauty and 
unequalled richness could not always be given over to painted sav- 
ages, albeit they alone had enjoyed its fair skies and beautiful scen- 
ery for so many years. 

Cherokee County was formed in January, 1851, at which time 
most of her sister counties were located and their boundaries de- 
fined. In .January, 1853, it was attached to the county of Wah- 
kan — now Woodbury — for revenue, election and judicial purposes. 
At this time, however, it was a county in nothing but name; for 
its fertile prairies, beautiful rivers and clear, sparkling brooks had 
as yet failed to attract the attention of the "vanguard of civiliza- 
tion." Finally, in the Spring of 1850, Robert Ferry, a hardy pio- 
neer from the eastern part of the State, visited this section and 
stopped for a short time near what is now known as the city of 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 261 

Cherokee. The solitude proved altogether too unattractive, and 
he soon took his departure for another and more thickly settled 
portion of the State. 

In the earl}' part of the same year, a number of hard-working, 
intelligent men in Milford, in the old commonwealth of Massachu- 
setts, became fired with a desire to visit this w^onderful Eldorado, 
about which they had heard so much, and if possible, to secure for 
themselves homes here. Under the leadership of Dr. Russell, a 
prominent citizen of Milford, a joint stock company, known as the 
"Milford Emigration Society,'^ was formed, consisting of fifty-five 
members, twenty-four of whom were heads of families, the design 
being to find homes somewhere in Western Iowa. Just prior to 
the formation of this company, Carlton Corbett and Lemuel Park- 
hurst, both stalwart, daring young men, had been sent out by the 
citizens of Milford to explore this portion of the country, and se- 
lect a suitable location for colonists. Twenty persons, under the 
auspices of the Milford Emigration Society, started on February 
11th, 1856, for northwestern Iowa, intending to meet Corbett and 
Parkhurst at Sioux City, that being the objective point of the col- 
ony at that time. 

On arriving at the mouth of the Big Sioux River, Messrs. Cor- 
bett and Parkhurst discovered, much to their disappointment, that 
others were in advance of them. Mr. Parkhurst remained here, 
but Mr. Corbett pushed on up the country for a distance of fifty 
miles above Sioux City. Not finding what he considered a desir- 
able location, he again turned south with the determination of ex- 
ploring Cherokee County, of which he had heard very favorable 
reports from Mr. Perry, who was then located at Sioux City. A 
thorough exploration of the county convinced Mr. Corbett that it 
was altogether the finest section of country he had yet visited. 
Hastening to Correctionville, he met the Milford colony, and had 
but little difficulty in inducing that party to locate here. They 
proceeded up the Little Sioux River, until they reached Cherokee 
County, where all were amazed at the magnificent panorama na- 
ture had spread out, seemingly for their benefit. The weary com- 
pany arrived at a point on the Sioux, near the present site of Cher- 
okee, on a beautiful May morning. The river danced and sparkled 
in the sunlight, as it dashed along its pebbly bed; the birds sang 
sweetly as they flitted from bough to bough, through the thick 
growth of timber that then skirted the high river banks at this 
point; the view on either hand was the most enchanting mortal 
eyes ever beheld, and to the weary wanderers, many hundred miles 
from home, and over one hundred miles from any settlement, it 
seemed that all nature was bidding them "welcome" to the peerless 
county of Cherokee. 

On every side were moderately high bluffs, beyond which, stretch- 
ing away for miles upon miles, was the rich rolling prairie-land, of 
which they had so long been iu search. The entire company con 



262 HISTORY OF IOWA, 

sisted of twenty persons, some o£ whom are still living in the county. 

The colonists, among whom were G. W. Lebourveau, Carlton 
Corbett, B. W. Sawtell, Lysander Sawtell, Robert Hammond, Al- 
bert Simonds, Asa Slayton, were undaunted by the fact that there 
was no friendly roof to afford them shelter, and believing that a 
bright and prosperous future awaited them if only the necessary 
pluck and muscle were exercised, they immediately commenced the 
construction of a log house, 17 by 18 feet, near the present site of 
Mill Creek Mill, and for some time this small building, the first 
ever erected in Cherokee County, afforded shelter and a home to 
the entire colony. The two teams belonging to the colony were 
immediately put to work, and 150 acres were broken for a crop, of 
which about thirty acres were planted with corn. They also raised 
200 bushels of excellent potatoes and a large quantity of small 
vegetables. During the season four more houses were built, one 
by G. W. Lebourveau, one by the Sawtell brothers, one by L. Park- 
hurst and one by William Holden, the two latter and Albert 
Phipps having joined the settlers later in the season. The post- 
ofi&ce and the nearest trading point were sixty miles from the set- 
tlement, and nearly all merchandise had to be hauled from Council 
Bluffs, 130 miles distant. 

During the Summer, a village was planned; 320 acres were sur- 
veyed into town lots, and all the land adjoining the village plat 
was made into twenty-acre lots, though a few contained as many 
as sixty. The lands selected- were principally west of the Little 
Sioux River, and south of Mill Creek, and located near the center 
of the county. An unusually severe winter followed, the snow at 
one time lying three feet deep on the level prairie, and the colo- 
nists suffered not a little. 

On the 18th day of June, 185G, another colony from Hardin 
county, Iowa, consisting of G. W. Banister, John Banister, John 
Moore, Charles Moore, Alfred Moore, Jacob Miller, T. Lane, Mar- 
vin Alison and Martin Burns, arrived at this place, and immedi- 
ately started a settlement seven miles below the Milford colony, 
Enoch Taylor and three others met Avith poor success in attempt- 
ing to start another settlement in the northern part of the county. 
Cold weather was now coming on, and Mr. Corbett and L. Sawtell 
made a trip to Council Bluffs, with ox teams, to procure winter 
provisions for the colony. 

Thus far the Cherokee colony had been favored with uninter- 
rupted prosperity, but an Indian out-break in February, 1857, 
threatened for a time to overthrow all the bright hopes of the set- 
tlers. In this month a party of Sioux Indians passed down the 
river, but as they appeared very friendly to the Cherokee settlers, 
no uneasiness was felt. At Smithland, the whites took the arms 
away from the Indians, which so enraged the latter that they 
started back up the stream, vowing vengeance on all the whites 
they should meet. They entered every house on their way back, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 263 

appropriating evcrytliing h\ the way of fire-arms they could lay 
their hands on. With the arms thus obtained they arrived at 
Cherokee, and scattered the settlers and captured their arms, pro- 
visions and other articles. Cattle were stolen, provisions seized, 
and the unfortunate settlers forced to cook them at the muzzle of 
a gun in the hands of an Indian who seemed more anxious to shoot 
than otherwise. The savages remained three days, during which 
there existed a regular reign of terror. On the night of the third 
day, Messrs. Lebourveau and Parkhurst returned from a trip to 
Sac City, and the Indians, thinking they had come from Smith- 
land, and that the armed citizens of that place would follow, left 
the next morning in great haste. Hurrying to Spirit Lake, they 
massacred the entire colony, men, Avomen and children. 

When the horrible tale of the Spirit Lake massacre reached the 
Cherokee settlers, they became thoroughly alarmed, and by the ad- 
vice of friends in other settlements, they abandoned their settle- 
ment entirely in the latter part of February, some going to Ash- 
land, some to Smithland and others to Onawa. 

As no further outbreak took place, the fears of the settlers grad- 
ually subsided, and in the following May most of the settlers re- 
turned and put in their crops. 

The first school was taught during the summer in the old log 
house called the Cherokee House, by Mrs. Parkhurst, the funds for 
its support being sent from Milford, Massachusetts. Among those 
who attended that school, are Clara, George and Thomas Brown; 
John, Frank and Addie Phipps, all of whom were long residents 
of this county. Miss Phipps afterwards taught school herself in 
this county, and was considered one of the most successful teach- 
ers in the county. 

Up to this time, Cherokee had remained attached to Woodbury 
County for judicial, election and revenue purposes. Sergeant's 
Bluff's was then the county seat of Woodbury County, and as all 
business for Cherokee County had to be transacted at that place, 
and as the distance was great, the inconvenience became so serious, 
that, in August, 1857, the county was completely organized, and 
its independent political life fully inaugurated by a special elec- 
tion. Twenty-three votes were cast, and the following officers 
elected: County Judge, A. P. Thayer; District Clerk, B. W. Saw- 
tell; Prosecuting Attorney, C. Corbett; Recorder and Treasurer, 
Gr. W. Lebourveau; County Sheriff", S. W. Haynes; Coroner, Gr. 
W. Banister. 

Early in 1858, the first tax was levied, amounting to twelve and 
a half mills on the dollar. The total valuation of property was 
§97,820. The first county warrant ever issued in Cherokee County 
was drawn October 2d, 1S58, for §4.30, payable to.D. N. Stoddard, 
on account of services as chainman on Road No. 1, to Plymouth 
County line, and is signed by A. P. Thayer, County Judge. The 



264: HISTORY OF IOWA. 

first bridge over the Sioux was built by Mr. Blair, he receiving there- 
for ^l.GOO. To pay this, the people voted a seven-mill tax, four- 
teen votes being cast for the tax and one against it. 

In the fall of 1857, a number of the colonists left, carrying with 
them dismal stories of the rigorous winters and terrible Indians, 
and from the year 1858 to the year 1863, there was but little 
cheering in the history of Cherokee County. 

Isolated from all the privileges, comforts and conveniences of 
old communities, Cherokee County became a little world of its 
own, albeit a rather gloomy one. A land grant, made in 1856, 
had led the settlers to hope for an early completion of the Du- 
buque & Sioux City Railroad, but as time passed on without other 
prospects of the road being built, the hopes of the settlers were 
extinguished, and a general feeling of despondency took possession 
of all. 

In the month of November, 1859, occurred the first marriage in 
the county, that of Carlton Corbett, and Miss Rosabella Cummings. 

For three succeeding yeai's but little occurred in the county 
Avorthy of record. In 1860, the population of the county was fifty- 
eight, but in 1863, this had decreased to fifteen. In 1862, the In- 
dian outbreaks assumed such formidable proportions that the set- 
tlers were once more compelled to flee from their homes and seek 
safety at other and better protected places. Mr. Corbett returned 
in the fall, and he was followed by 0. S. Wight, J. A. Brown, and 
Robert Perry, all of whom were accompanied by their families. 

During the civil war, Cherokee County furnished more soldiers 
in proportion to her population than any other county in the Un- 
ion. Among those who enlisted from this county were G. W. 
Lebourveau, Silas Parkhrrst, Joel Davenport, and Albert Phipps. 
Eight in all entered the army for the Union, leaving but five men 
in the entire county. 

In 1863, a court house was built at the cost of $1,900, and this 
building is yet being used by the county. In 1865, the first saw 
mill was erected on the site now occupied by the Bliss mill. This 
3^ear the population of the county was but sixty-four, and the cen- 
sus of 1865 returned nine residents, with a population of fifty-two, 
twenty-nine males and twenty-three females. There were twenty- 
one horses and ninety-eight cattle, and only eighteen acres of spring 
wheat were sown, twenty-three acres of oats, seven of barley, and 
thirty-eight of potatoes. 

For some years, prior to 1866, the settlement had a monthly 
mail, wliich Avas carried betAveen Cherokee and Sioux City. Dur- 
ing the year 1860, a Av^eekly mail was established, Avhich was con- 
sidered a wonderful step in advance, and then for the first time the 
settlers began to realize that they were really a part and parcel of 
the civilized world. Early in this year, G. W. Lebourveau, G. W. 
Banister and Silas Parkhurst, three of the original settlers, re- 
turned to Cherokee county. The developments of the county from 



HISTORY OF IOWA. .. 265 

this time until tlie year 1869, was very slow, and but little worthy 
of record transpired. In 1868, the population numbered 227. The 
general election was held in the fall of this year, at which sixty- 
four votes were polled. Hon. Eli Johnson, of Cherokee, was 
elected to the State Legislature by a handsome majority. Mr. 
Johnson is at present a resident of Cherokee, where he is publish- 
ing a paper, the Cherokee Free Press. Daring this session of the 
Legislature, the preliminary survey for the Dubuque and Sioux 
City Railroad was run through Cherokee county, and the line es- 
tablished. The work of building the road was immediately com- 
menced, and pushed forward with all possible vigor. In the Spring 
of 1869, immigration commenced to pour into the county, and it 
seemed, indeed, that an era of prosperity had at last been inaugu- 
rated. About this time a store was opened in the old village by a 
Mr. Foskett. He was soon followed by Mr. Van Eps. A saw mill 
was also erected in Pilot Township by Mr. Rodgers. 

During the year work on the railroad progressed with great 
vigor, and in May, 1870, the road was completed, so as to admit of 
through trains, but as the road left the village of Cherokee about 
a mile to the east, an effectual stop was put to its growth. As 
soon as it was known exactly where the road would run, it was de- 
cided to establish a new town site, and in March, of this year, 
Carlton Corbett and G. W. Lebourveau laid out the new town of 
Cherokee in the immediate vicinity of the site selected for the de- 
pot. The citizens of the old town immediately removed their 
buildings to the new site, where all was bustle, life and activity. 
The spring was one of remarkable activity; immigrants flocked in 
by the hundreds, and busy industry soon converted the bleak prai- 
rie into a thriving, prosperous village; and, by December, there 
were at least ninety new buildings in the town. In June, of this 
year, there were in the county 1,24'i cattle, 444 horses, thirty-six 
mules, thirty-nine sheep, and seventy swine. The entire valua- 
tion of all personal property was $79,979.55. 

At the opening of the year 1871, the prospects for Cherokee 
County were brighter than ever before in her history. The many 
struggles of fifteen years to obtain a foot-hold had at last brought 
forth their legitimate fruit, and from this time forward, unparalleled 
prosperity has been the portion of Cherokee County. 

New villages sprang into existence as if by magic, and the rich 
prairie land was soon dotted over with well tilled farms and good 
farm buildings. In 1870 the foundations were laid for the first 
building in Hazard, and in 1871, the first house was erected in 
Marcus, and Aurelia was started in 1877. 

We have thus sketched in brief the more important points in 
the history of Cherokee County; have seen it transferred from a 
wild, unbroken prairie into one of the richest and most thickly 
settled countries in all the great Northwest; have noted the almost 
superhuman exertion necessary to accomplish this task; have 

18 



266 m HISTORY OF IOWA, 

chronicled the repeated faihires, the renewed efforts and the final 
triumph. It is now proper to describe this, one of the most fertile 
and picturesque sections in all the great State of Iowa. 

Cherokee County is situated in the third tier of counties south 
of the Minnesota line, and the second west of the Dakota line, 
lying between Plymouth and Buena Vista counties; is twenty- 
four miles square, and contains 368,640 acres of rich and fertile 
land. It is well watered by innumerable clear, sparkling brooks, 
springs and dashing rivers, the largest river, the Little Sioux, 
passing diagonally through the county, making its exit near the 
southwest corner. Every township in the county has a stream 
running through it, and all of these streams abound with fine fish. 
The Maple has its headwaters on the northeastern border of the 
county. Along the banks of the Little Sioux considerable timber 
is to be found. The general surface of the country is rolling; 
there are but few acres of the land too broken to be tilled, 
and Cherokee ranks among the best agriultural counties in the 
State. Its numerous valleys, formed by clear, running streams, 
have a soil especially adapted to the cultivation of cereals. For 
stock raising it is superior to most counties in the northwest, as 
its numerous running streams aftbrd an abundance of pure water, 
and the nutritious grasses, which grow so luxuriantly, afford an 
excellent pasturage, and stock can be kept in good condition the 
entire year with but little trouble or expense. The climate is 
very similar to that of other counties in Northwestern Iowa — 
healthy and invigorating; extremes of heat and cold are the ex- 
ception, and not the rule, mild weather generally characterizing 
the entire year. The air is dry and bracing, and lung diseases are 
almost unknown. The soil is a drift deposit, covered with a deep, 
rich vegetable mould. Along the streams, it is alluvial, and every • 
where capable of producing the most luxuriant vegetation. Chero- 
kee County has 1,085 acres of natural timber, and 1,275 of artificial. 
The inhabitants embrace all nationalities, though the original 
stock from Massachusetts and other Eastern states is largely in the 
ascendancy. 

In 1874, the population was estimated at 5,000, while in the same 
year 80,000 acres were under crop. In this year about 1,100 cars 
of wheat were shipped from the county, while the total assessa- 
ble value of the property of the county footed up in round num- 
bers to $1,600,000. In this year there were 1,200 farms in the 
county with an average cultivation of sixty-six acres, located in all 
the townships in the county. During the same year there were 
sixty-four schools in the county, the total value of the school 
houses being $32,241. Though statistics are unquestioaably rather 
dry reading, in this case, at least, they show conclusively the rapid 
strides Cherokee County is making towards supremacy. 

If the figures given above afford occasion for congratulation, 
those for 1881 are still more satisfactory. The taxable real estate 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 2o7 

of this county this year amonnts in round numbers to $1,800,000; 
personal property, $375,000, based as near as possible on one-third 
their actual values. The bonded indebtedness of the county is$48,- 
300. 

The educational interests, the criterion of a county's pros- 
perity, are in a very flattering condition. There are ninety-two 
frame school buildings in the county, valued at about $50,000, 
while the value of the school apparatus is in round numbers $3,- 
000. One hundred and sixty-nine teachers are employed, and 3,- 
200 children are enrolled, the averaged attendance being 2,110. Of 
the general funds on hand, the last report has the following: 
School house fund, $4:,500; contingent fund, $5,500; teachers' 
fund, nearly $12,000. 

The present officials of the county are: Hon. H. C. Lewis, Dis- 
trict Judge; Hon. J. R. Zuver, of Sioux City, Circuit Judge; R.L. 
Robie, Auditor; Eli Eshleman, Treasurer; E. Miller, Recorder: W. 
C. Bundy, Clerk of Courts; R. J. Smythe, Sheriff; Miss Ella M. 
Slater, Superintendent of Public Schools, and J. H. Davenport, 
Surveyor. 

With all the advantages we have cited, land can be purchased in 
this county at from $5 to $15 per acre, according to location. As 
a general rule, the farmers of the county are devoting unusual at- 
tention to stock raising, not because grain cannot be grown suc- 
cessfully, but because stock pays better. 

CHEROKEE. 

The county seat of Cherokee county, much of whose history ne- 
cessarily appears in the above detailed county history, is in every 
respect a handsome, substantial and growing city. It is located 
nearly midway between Fort Dodge and Sioux City, in the midst 
of a prosperous and fertile county. As a writer in a former simi- 
lar work expresses it, "Cherokee has a surprisingly beautiful site, 
skirted on all sides by gentle bluffs, that swell just enough to 
shield it from the blasts of winter, yet not to impair the beauty of 
the landscape. Through the vale and to the south of the village 
the Sioux River winds its devious way in search of the great Mis- 
souri, where her crystalline waters are swallowed up in the current 
of mud. The banks of the Sioux are lined with timber, the first 
of any consequence that greets the eye of the traveler after leaving 
Fort Dodge. This greatly adds to the picturesqueness of the 
scene, and preposseses the traveler in its favor. 

Cherokee was located in August, 1870, a small number of build- 
ings having been erected prior to that date, however, but of a 
character which admitted of their being moved to the future coun- 
ty seat. The facts as to the settlement upon the permanent loca- 
tion of the town appear elsewhere. The residence of E. Cowles 
is stated to be the first building moved from the '"old town," in 



268 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

March, 1870, and was the first dwelling in the new village; but 
the farm residence of G. W. Lebourveau, adjoining the village, 
was erected prior to that date. The growth of Cherokee has been 
rapid and healthy, and to-day it is deservedly ranked among the 
most substantially prosperous of Iowa's many prosperous villages. 

The following as to the natural features of Cherokee and vicinity 
will prove of interest : 

"Cherokee county lies wholly in one large valley, the highest 
point on its eastern border being 908 feet, and on its western bor- 
der 877 feet; the city of Cherokee being the center of the depres- 
sion is only 565 feet. Through the center of this valley from 
northeast to southwest flows the Little Sioux. This peculiarity, 
nowhere else found in the west, gives the surface of the country a 
slightly rolling appearance, and with gentle slopes to the river bed 
underlying the prairie proper about 100 feet. The valleys formed 
by the river being particularly rich, are very desirable. The soil 
is very loose and mellow, and never 'bakes,' and is much easier 
cultivated than the soil of the eastern states. It is what is parti- 
cularly known as the 'bluff deposit,' varying in depth from two to 
three feet. Being slightly tinctured with sand, it matures crops 
rapidly. Read what eminent geologists say of it. Prof. Owen, in 
his Geological Survey, says: 'It is a silicious marl closely resemb- 
ling the 'loess' deposit in the valley of the Rhine, famous the 
world over for its richness.' As far as known this deposit covers 
an area of nearly two hundred miles drained by the Missouri. 
Prof. White, in his Geological Survey of the State, says: 'The 
fortunate admixture of soil materials gives a warmth and mellow- 
ness to the soil, which is so favorable to the growth of crops that 
thev are usually matured as early as they are upon more clayey 
soils of the southern part of the state, although the latter are more 
than 200 miles to the southward.' Impassable roads are never 
known. A few hours of sunshine after the most severe storm, 
make a road dry and passable for loads. The drainage is so good 
that 'muddy' roads are impossible. The county has a most perfect 
water system. Through the center of the county flows the Little 
Sioux; on the west Rock Creek and Willow Creek; on the north 
Mill Creek and Gray Creek, and on the east the Maple, while on 
the south is Silver Creek. All of these having more or less tribu- 
taries, give bountiful supplies of water for stock-raising and other 
purposes. In fact there is hardly a section of land but what there 
exists upon it flowing streams or living springs. Pure, healthy 
water is obtained everywhere at a depth of fifteen to thirty feet. ' 

Not the least of the attractions which Cherokee aff'ords, is her 
famous 

MAGNETIC SPRING, 

one of the most remarkable curiosities in nature, the essential par- 
ticulars concerning which are as follows: 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 269 

This spring was discovered in 1879, while prospecting for coal; 
when the depth of 200 feet was reached, a stream of crystalline 
water two inches in diameter flowed to the surface with a force 
that projected it several feet above the level of the ground. 

The stream was so great that the prospector had to abandon his 
work. Unaware that he had tapped a spring superior in curative 
properties to any other in America, he felt disappointed and dis- 
pirited. Several weeks afterwards, in fastening an iron rod a 
quarter of an inch thick and ten feet long to a cord, with the in- 
tention of sinking the rod to the bottom in order to raise the sedi- 
ment which had accumulated in the tube, to his astonishment the 
rod fastened itself to the iron piping, and so far from sinking it re- 
quired considerable strength to detach it and bring it up. 

This accidental discovery paved the way for future experiments, 
which resulted in demonstrating that the water of this spring was 
heavily charged with magnetism, so much so that by immersing a 
steel instrument in the waters it shortly becomes a perfect magnet, 
capable of suspending needles, nails, watch keys and iron sub- 
stances of greater weight. 

The sceptical at first said the magnetism was in the iron tubing, 
and that it had been charged artificially, but as the pipes were 
those purchased to conduct water by a hydraulic ram and re-pur- 
chased from a neighbor who knew nothing about the spring, the 
doubters had to give that theory up. It was next charged that 
any iron tube sunk in the earth to a great depth becomes charged 
with magnetism; that the magnetism was not in the water. This 
was disproven by scientific tests, viz: taking the water from the 
spring and immersing in it steel bars, tested by a galvanometer 
and pronounced free from electricity; after a short interval of time 
these were found charged with magnetism, capable of suspending 
other bodies of iron. The mechanical action of the water 
upon the iron, is too obvious to be denied, and so manifest 
that the most illiterate can i*eadily see it. It requires no theoretic 
demonstration to convince the observer that it must have an 
effect upon living tissue which is well known to be an electrical 
conductor. 

Invalids began drinking the water, and the results were at once 
of a highly favorable character. Dyspeptics were greatly benefited 
by their use, they aftbrded relief to every form of constipation, and 
their derated qualities proved an antidote to acidity and distention 
of the stomach. A demand for bathing facilities was made on the 
proprietors, and the fame of these wonderful healing waters spread 
to every State of the Union. Letters of inquiry poured in, and 
the water became a standard article of export to hundreds of towns 
and cities. 

Thus far the Avell had, by its inherent virtues, forced itself on 
the public, and the public in return, by their urgent demands, in 
a manner compelled the proprietors to fit up a bathing establish- 



270 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

ment, which they have added to from time to time, until it now 
has a suiiicient capacity to meet all ordinary demands, while the 
surroundings have been improved and beautified so as to make it a 
really interesting spot. 

Like most other institutions, it had to encounter opposition. 
This mainly sprang from the jealousy of the pi-ofession, since the 
many remarkable cures, and general improvement of chronic 
sufferers, wholly due to a. continued use of these waters, seemed a 
rebuke to the ordinary methods of treatment, but opposition was 
silenced by the voices of the many who drank health from this 
magnetic fountain. Physicians found the waters had intrinsic, 
health-giving qualities, and soon learned to recognize them among 
the potent agencies in the cure of a long train of diseases. 

For a considerable time the proprietors were reluctant to make a 
heavy outlay for the benefit of invalids and health-seekers, as such 
a course was entirely foreign to their original purpose — that of 
finding coal — but the representations of the pablic were so con- 
tinued and earnest, that all objections on this score were waived, 
and the large investments made have been warmly seconded by an 
appreciative public, whose liberal patroiiage is the safest guarantee 
that the outlay has been wistly made. 

The Bathing House is a commodious and well finished structure, 
one story and a half high, with waiting rooms and ladies' parlor. 
The bath rooms are neat and comfortable, and the baths are con- 
structed on the most recent and approved plan, and heated by steam. 
The ladies' rooms are reserved exclusively for their use, and are in 
charge of polite and attentive female waiters. " The ladies' and 
gentlemen's bathing departments are separated by a suite of rooms 
insuring the most perfect guarantee that nothing need offend the 
instincts of the most delicate. 

The flow of water from the Spring is so great that an artificial 
lake of over six acres in extent has been made, the waters of 
which average four feet deep, and are almost transparent as the 
air above them. One side of this lake washes the southern porch 
of the bath house, and flocks of wild ducks have, for the past 
year, been continually about the lake in their season; they have 
become so tame that persons may approach them within a few 
feet. 

The grounds surrounding the Spring comprise sixty acres, have 
been laid out by a skilled arborist and gardner, with a view to pro- 
ducing the best aesthetic effect, and have been planted with native 
and ornamental trees and shrubbery, the lake being skirted by 
choice varieties. Time alone is required to make this park one of 
the handsomest and most interesting in the western states. 

Another, and not the least interesting feature of this charming 
spot, is a one-half mile race course, sixty feet wide, and as level as 
a lake, one side bounded by the river bank, the other by the lake. 
A better race-course or a prettier is not easily found. The pro- 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 271 

prietors have spared no expense to improve and beautify the 
grounds, vehich have ah-eady earned the reputation of being the 
most inviting known at any western watering place. In addition 
to the new park, the proprietors have purchased an island in the 
Sioux river of about one hundred acres in extent, heavily wooded 
with timber of large and small growth. A little work could make 
this as romantic a retreat as river and forest can afford. 

The waters of the Spring are so pure and free from inorganic 
matter that they keep perfectly sweet and pure for two or three 
weeks after being drawn. Those who have had them shipped for 
hundreds of miles have been astonished to find that even after 
being kept for a month, no sign of putrefaction was discernible, 
and that to the taste they were as pleasant as when drawn. This 
quality is of incalculable advantage for shipping purposes. Those 
who, from weakness, or any other cause, are unable to come to the 
Spring, can have the water shipped to them at reasonable rates, 
with the assurance that it will remain sweet and pure for a 
long time. 

The boarding facilities at Cherokee are c|uite equal to those of 
any other city of sixteen hundred inhabitants. There are four 
good hotels, and several good boarding houses in the city. Fruits 
and every delicacy in its season may be had here abundantl3^ No 
one need have any hesitancy in coming to Cherokee on the ground 
of insufficient accommodation. The city has two excellent livery 
stables, with horses and vehicles in abundance, so that with driv- 
ing, shooting and fishing the most pleasing and invigorating 
recreation may be had at all times and seasons. In fact the city 
of Cherokee is sufficiently metropolitan to afford an ample variety 
of sports, ?omforts and recreations. 

There are in Cherokee Congregational, Presbyterian, Catholic, 
Methodist, Baptist, Advent, Episcopalian and Universalist church 
organizations. The first six have houses of worship. The church 
property of the county is in valuation perhaps not less than $20,- 
000. The officers of the Congregational church are: Pastor, J. 
B. Chase; Deacons, J. W, Coombs, J. P. Dickey, H. C. Kellogg; 
Clerk, W. C. Bundy; Treasurer, J. P. Dickey; Trustees, J. A. Ris- 
ley, F. E. Whitmore, Richard Opie; Ushers, Richard Opie, E. F. 
Coombs; Sexton, Fred Boddy. 

The Presbyterian church society was organized in 1870. Rev. 
Alexander M. Darley was the first pastor. The Union Sabbath 
School of Cherokee has a flourishing membership of more than 
sixty members. The Children of Zion church organization was 
perfected in the summer of 1880 by Bishop D. D. Patterson, of 
Grand Rapids, and hold regular services, with a flourishing Sun- 
day School. The Baptist society dates its organization from the 
autumn of 1870. Services were first held in the old brick school 
house. Rev. A. W. Hilton was the first pastor. The church 
building was erected in 1873, and is 30x10 feet in dimensions. 



272 



HISTORY OF lOAVA. 



Among the pastors at different times have been Revs. E. N. 
Jencks, W. H. Irwin, J. P. Cuffman, John Edminister, George H. 
Brown. An addition, 14x22, was made to the church edifice in 
1881. The first sermon preached in Cherokee was delivered by 
Rev. Alexander Darlev, o£ the Presbyterian denomination, in the 
store of H. A. Fife, in 1870. 

On the 14th day of November in the same year, the first mar- 
riage license in the county was granted to C. Corbett and Rosabella 
Cummings. A school was taught during the summer in the old 
school house, by Mrs. Parkhurst, the funds to defray the necessary 
expenses being sent from Massachusetts. 

For a young city, having by the recent census only 1,522 popu- 
lation; Cherokee has a large local trade, and does an extensive 
shipping business in grain and stock. Its magnitude may be in- 
ferred from the following: 



BUSINESS SUMMARY. 



Abstrafts 3 

Agii. Inipleinents 4 

Attorneys (firms) 7 

Bakeries 3 

Baiilvs 3 

Barbers 2 

Blarksniiths 6 

Books and stationery 3 

Boots and slioes (excl.) 3 

Boot and shoemakers 4 

Brickyards 1 

Carriages 2 

Clothinff, etc., (excl.) 2 

Contractors and bnilders 4 

Creameries 1 

Coal and wood 5 

Dentists 1 

Drugs 3 

Dry goods 1 

Elevators 4 

Feed mills 1 

Flouring mills I 

Furniture 1 

General merchandise ('> 

Grain 4 



Groceries 6 

Hardware 3 

Harness makers 2 

Hotels 4 

Insurance agencies 15 

•Jewelers 2 

Livery stables 3 

Lumber 4 

Manuf. carrg's, wgn's, etc 1 

Manuf. of sash, doors, blinds, etc... 1 

Meat markets 2 

Merchant tailors ; 1 

Music 1 

Milliners 2 

News depots 2 

Newspapers 3 

Photographers 1 

Physicians 6 

Printers (job) 2 

Produce 1 

Real estate and loans 7 

Restaurants 3 

Sewing machines 3 

Stock 6 



Cherokee Lodge No. 322, I. 0. G. T., was organized November 
17th, 1879, with seventeen charter members. Its first officers were: 
W. E. Hitchcock, W. C; A. C. Hobart, W. V. C; Rev. R. C. Glass, 
Chaplain; H. H. Henry, Secretary; W. H. Hall, F. S.; J. Boles, 
Treasurer; David Lynii, M.; W. Stebbins, I. G.; E. N. Corbett, 0. 
G.;C. P. Hobart, P. W. C. T. 

The Masonic Lodge of Cherokee was instituted in 1871. Cher- 
okee Lodge No. 188, I. 0. 0. F., was organized in February, 1870, 
with five charter members. Its present membership is forty-four. 
Its first officers were: C. E. Schofield, N. G.; G. W. McCoun, V. 
G.; J. C. Hubbard, Seci'etary; Z. P. Herrick, Treasurer. The fol- 
lowing are the present officers: Thomas McCulla, N. G.; R. H. 
Gross, V. G.; D. W. Benway, Secretary; R. J. Smyth, Treasurer. 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 273 

The Advent Church Society was organized in 1873, in Afton 
Township, with a membership of ten, and was moved to the town 
in the following year: In the summer of 1875, a very successful 
series of revival meetings was held, and the membership steadily 
increased, until the Society numbers nearly fifty. A church was 
provided in the autumn of 1875, and Elder J. Ridley was secured 
as regular pastor. 

T. S. Steele & Son, bankers, of Cherokee^ organized their busi- 
ness in 1874, starting in a small wooden building. Their present 
building was erected in 1879, is 24x10 feet, and two stories high, 
T. H. Steele is cashier, and is ably assisted by D. T. Steele. 

Scribner, Burroughs & (Jo.'s bank was organized in 1871, under 
the firm name of Fulton & Scribner. Mr. Burroughs became in- 
terested June 12th, 1872, the business having been started in a 
small and unpretentious building. The present building was 
erected in 1875. The bank's surplus capital is now $100,000, its 
business having increased proportionately to its capital. Mr. 
Burroughs came to Cherokee from Adrian, Mich., locating per- 
manently in Cherokee, after having successively lived at Salt 
Lake and other sections of the western country. Mr. Scribner is 
a native of Plattsburg. N. Y., and came to Cherokee in 1871. 
Mr. B. has a stock farm of 660 acres adjoining town, and keeps 
an average of about seven hundred cattle on his lands. 

In 1874, Mr. Satterlee began the sinking of a coal shaft, and in 
the Spring of 1879, on Mr. Burrough's land, a depth of one hun-r 
dred feet was reached, when, on penetrating a rocky stratum, flow- 
ing water, strongly impregnated with sulphur, was reached. At a 
further depth of fifty feet, another stratum containing nuignesia 
was found, and at two hundred feet the magnetic water, which is 
fully described above was discovered. It is impossible to over- 
state the importance of this discovery to Cherokee. 

March 22d, 1879, Kellogg & Herrick organized the Cherokee 
Butter and Cheese manufacturing Company. The building is 
24x50 feet in dimensions, with an addition twenty feet square. 
The firm buys cream from about 1,000 cows. This industry bids 
fair to become a very important one. 

The Cherokee Times was established October 21st, 1870, and is 
consequently now in its twelfth year. It is in every sense a highly 
creditable publication. Robert Buchanan is the editor and pro- 
prietor. 

The lou-a Free Press, like the Ti))ies, is an eight-column folio, 
Robert Johnson and Will P. Goldie. editors and proprietors: both 
papers are well sustained, of good typographical appearance, and 
newsy. 

The population of Cherokee may be set down as very nearh^, if 
not quite, two thousand. Its educational advantages are excep- 
tionally good. The public schools are on an unusually good foot- 



274 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

ing, and a college is in contemplation, the opportunities for such 
an institution in Cherokee being- apparent. 

The future prosjaects of Cherokee as to railroads are good. Al- 
ready two different companies are surveying through the southern 
part of the county, and strong talk of a road running northeast 
and southwest, following the Little Sioux river, connecting Omaha 
with St. Paul and Minneapolis by a more direct route, and giving 
the vast lumber regions a new and more direct outlet to the South- 
west; also a new railroad is projected through Cherokee from' Des 
Moines to the wheat fields of Dakota. These roads secured will 
make Cherokee a town of 10,000 inhabitants, and an excellent 
manufacturing point. 

MARCUS. 

The town of Marcus is a substantial place, whose personal inter- 
ests will be found to be well represented in the biographies here- 
unto attached. The first building was erected in 1871. I. M. 
Jackson and A. H. Dwight were the first settlers. The first school 
was begun in 1873, and the first sermon in Marcus was preached 
in 1875, by Rev. W. F. Rose, Congregational minister. The 
church societies are well represented by the Catholic, Lutheran and 
Methodist denominations. 

The Lidependent Order of Odd Fellows, which has a flourishing 
lodge in Marcus, had for its charter members I. Cask, S. W. Wea- 
ver, W. H. Skinner, M. L Ames and R. W. Heath. Its active 
members are eleven. The lodge meets at S. W. Weaver's. A 
Masonic lodge is also one of the prominent features in this con- 
nection. 

The Good Templars' Society has fifty-nine members, and holds 
its meetings in the school house. C. P. Kilburn is W. C; Mrs. J. 
H. Sheldon, VV. V. C; T. W. P. Clough, P. W.C; J. H. Sheldon, 
S.; Miss N. Cleglow, F. S. 

The Presbyterian Church Society was organized during the past 
season, by Rev. George Knox, of Cherokee. 

The population of Marcus is about 150, and is composed of a 
sturdy mixture of nationalities, German, English, Swedish, Scotch, 
etc. 

The depot was built in the winter of 1869-70, and is 30x79 feet 
in dimensions. A grist mill with three run of stone, two elevators, 
warehouses and two hotels are among the important acquisitions 
to the town. The first white man to settle in the township is 
stated to have been H. Bowman, a native of Vermont. Mrs. Bow- 
man is still living in Marcus. The first female settler was Mrs. 
W. E. Rose, who came in 1871. The first house was erected on 
section 36, by Mr. Bowman, in 1869, the first soil in the township 
being broken that year. 

In 1871, the first regular election occurred, the depot building 
being used as a voting place. Fourteen votes were cast, that being 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 275 

the entire vote of the township. The first officers elected were as 
follows: R. Wilmot, J. M. Sheldon, E. Prunty, Trustees; W. E. 
Itose, Clerk; I. Bowman, iSu])ervisor; A. H. Dwighc, Elion Prunty, 
Justices of the Peace; E. Gearon, Constable; I. M. Jackson, As- 
sessor. The first assessment was made in 1875, the number of 
families being fourteen; population forty-four; number of houses, 
nineteen; cattle, fifty; hogs, thirty-nine; acres improved, G20. The 
first person to locate in business in Marcus was I, M. Jackson. 
C. Parkin built bis grain house in 1873. A store was opened by 
J. Hyndman in September, 1873. R. Wilmot opened the first 
hotel in Jul}', 1874. The school house was built in the same year. 
The first car of stock was received by J. Clarkson in February, 
1877. 

Clarkson & Metcalf have a warehouse with a capacity of 15,000 
bushels; L. Gund, of a capacity of 10,000 bushels. 

The village of Marcus has doubled in population in the past 
year. The receipts at the depot for the twelve months just prior 
to this writing were $36,400. Five hundred and fifty-six cars 
were sent out from the town during the same time. 

A public hall 22x5(3 feet, with ceiling twelve feet high, adds 
greatly to the convenience and advancement of the community. 
There is also a half-mile circular track in excellent condition. The 
population of the county is closely estimated at 10,000. 

Among the noteworthy farms of this section is that of Theo. 
Groff, about a mile northeast of Marcus. Mr. Groff" came to this 
part of the country about four years ago. 

The first school in Marcus was taught in 1873-4, Miss Nina Shel- 
don being the teacher. Nine pupils were enrolled. 

The first birth was that of Elsie Bowman in April, 1874; the 
first death, a brother of John Bird. Sr., in 1875; the first marriage, 
George Paactier and Miss Nina Sheldon, in 1878; the first grain 
brought to market, by I. Gorner in September, 1873; the first car 
of grain shipped, was in September, 1873, by C. Parkin. 

There are more than one hundred pupils enrolled in the public 
schools of Marcus. There are three lumber yards in the town, 
each one of which is doing a thriving business. H. D. Dwight is 
the postmaster, and the office is very satisfactorily and systemati- 
cally conducted. The business of the office has doubled within 
the last year. 



276 HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHEROKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



CHEROKEE. 



James Archer, dealer in lumber, grain and coal, established 
business July 12th, 1869; was born in Scotland in 1828; came to 
America in 1842, and located in Rockford, 111.; from there he re- 
moved to Fayette county, Iowa; thence to Waverly, Iowa, where 
he was engaged in the lumber business three years. In 1869, he 
removed to Cherokee, and engaged in business as above. He has 
been a member of the town council, and has served several terms 
on the school board. 

S. B. Allen, proprietor City Hotel, was born in Washington 
county, New York, in 1832; came west in 1868, and located in 
Buchanan county, Iowa, where he remained until the spring of 
1881, when he removed to Cherokee and engaged in business as 
above. 

C. Allison, senior member of the firm of Allison Brothers, dealers 
in dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, was born in Wisconsin in 
1846; received his education at Madison, Wisconsin. He went to 
Nevada; where he was foreman of the Opher mine for several 
years; thence came back to Eldora, la., and in 1873 he came to 
Cherokee and established his present business. 

H. Allison, junior member of the above firui, was born in Wis. 
in 1857. In 1869 he went to California, where he remained until 
he came to Cherokee. These gentlemen intend to erect a brick 
building, 30x100 feet, the coming spring. 

N. T. Burroughs, of the firm of Scribner, Burroughs & Co., 
bankers, was born in Michigan in 1810; moved to la. in 1869, and 
engaged in the real estate business. In 1872 he entered business 
as above; is also extensively engaged in the raising of fine stock. 
Married Addie H. Phipps in 1873. 

Thomas S. Brown, blacksmith, was born in Massachusetts in 
1852; when he was four years of age he came to Cherokee, where 
he has since resided. 

E. S. Block, dealer in clothing, hats, caps, and gent's l^urnishing 
goods, trunks, valises, etc., etc., was born in Bohemia in 1848; 
came to America, and engaged in the clothing business in New 
York City; from there he went to Arkansas; thence to Nebraska 
City, and after traveling throughout the west, he, in 1876, located 
in Cherokee, and engaged in business as above. 



HISTORY OF IOWA.. 277 

D. W. Benway, dealer in furniture of all kinds^ established busi- 
ness in June, 1881. He was born in Massachusetts in 1849; from 
there he removed to Wisconsin; thence to Independence, Iowa. 
In 1877 he came to Cherokee, and for a time was proprietor of the 
City Hotel. In June, 1881, he engaged in business as above. 

Charles Blaesser, barber, also dealer in tobacco and cigars, was 
born in Germany in 18-45; came to America in 1866, and located at 
Milwaukee, Wis. In 1874 he removed to Cherokee and engaged 
in business as above. He married Regina Schmidt, of Wis. They- 
have two children — Walter A. and Charles H. 

Carlton Corbett, of the firm of Corbett & Whitmore, dealers in 
real estate, was born in Massachusetts, August 12th, 1831. In 
January, 1856, he came west and located in Cherokee; has held 
the office of county recorder and treasurer^ and is one of the pio- 
neers of Cherokee county. 

John Collins, of the firm of Collins & Minor, was born in Ken- 
tucky in 1852; came to Clayton county, Iowa, when quite young, 
where he lived until 1875, when he came to Cherokee, and for a 
time was engaged in farming. He married Fannie F. Pearson. 
They have three daughters. 

W. B. Chick, dealer in groceries, fruits and provisions, estab- 
lished business in 1872; was born in Maine in 1848; came to Mich- 
igan in 1868, and two years later he came to Cherokee. He enlist- 
ed in the first Maine light artillery, and served two years and three 
months. He has been three terms county auditor of Cherokee 
county. 

J. H. Davenport, county surveyor of Cherokee county, was born 
in New York in 1838; came to Michigan in 1856, thence to this 
state, and in 1860 located at Cherokee. He was elected to his pre- 
sent office in 1866, and has held the office almost continuously 
since; has also been superintendent of schools of this county and 
served three years in the U. S. army in the Indian department. 

Eli Eshleman, county treasurer of Cherokee county, was born 
in Pa. in 1829; came west in 1856, and settled in Ills., where he 
lived seventeen years; in 1872 he came to Cherokee and engaged 
in farming; was elected to his present position in 1879 and re- 
elected in the autumn of 1881. He married Amanda Fry, of Lan- 
caster county, Pa. They have ten children — five sons and five 
daughters, 

0. C. Ford, wholesale and retail grocer, and dealer in queens- 
ware, established business in 1876; was born in New York in 1841; 
came to Wisconsin in 1849, and in 1871 removed to Cherokee; for 
a time engaged in the insurance business, and was then employed 
as clerk in at hardware store, which he continued until he engaged 
in his present business. 



278 HISTOKY OF IO^VA. 

J. S. Green, dealer in grain, groceries, queensware, fruits, etc., 
established business in 1879. Was born in St. Louis, Mo., iu 1847, 
for fourteen years he traveled for Chicago and St. Louis wholesale 
houses. In 1879 he settled at Cherokee and engaged in business 
as above. 

Robert Gick, dealer in stoves, hardware and farming tools of all 
kinds, established business in 1880. Was born on the Isle of Man, 
in 1845; came to America in 1870, and settled in Warren, county, 
111.; thence to Jasper county, Iowa, and in 1872 removed to Cherokee, 
where he has since resided. 

W. S. Heymer, of the firm of Heymer Brothers, liverymen, was 
born in Essex county. New York, in 1847. He came west in 1878, 
and settled in Cherokee, and entered the employ of F. D. Yaw, in 
the livery business. He married Julia Canfield of this State. 
They have one son — Frank. 

Thomas Heymer, of the firm of Heymer Bros., was born in N. 
Y. in 1846; his first location was iu Dubuque county, la.; thence 
to Jackson county; thence to Cherokee. He served three years in 
the army in Co. I, Iowa volunteers. 

George W. Hodgius, liveryman, established business in 1870. 
Was born in Vermont in 1826, his first location in Iowa was in 
Hardin county, thence to Marshalltown; thence to Bedford, and 
in 1870 he came to Cherokee and engaged in business as above. 
His son, Eugene D. Hodgins, was born in Missouri in 1859, and is 
now a partner in the above business. 

Edwin Hughes, harness maker, established business October, 
1881. Was born in Wales iu 1852; came to America in 1870, and 
his first location was at Portland, Maine. From there he went to 
New York; thence to Ohio, and after -making a trip to the Black 
Hills, returned to Cherokee and engaged in business as above. He 
married Sarah Mills, a native of England. They have one son 
and two daughters. 

Robert Hall, of the firm of Robert Hall & Son, dealers in farm 
machinery and grain, was born in N. Y. in 1822; came to Ills, in 
1857, and in 1871 he removed to Cherokee and engaged in busi- 
ness as above. 

Jas. Henderson, dealer in real estate, established business in 1871; 
was born in Scotland in 1818, came to America in 1848 and settled in 
Clayton county, Iowa, and was engaged in farming. In 1868 he 
removed to Cherokee. He has been twice elected to the position 
of county treasurer; has also been a member of the city council. 

C. E. P. Hobart, of the firm of Hobart & Snyder, dealers in grain 
and coal, was born in Vermont iu 1819; from Vermont he went to 
Oshkosh, Wis.; and in 1870 he came to Cherokee and engaged in 
the lumber business. The following year lije engaged in business 
as above. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 279 

William Jones, merchant tailor and dealer in ready-made cloth- 
ing? and gents' furnishing goods, was born in Wales in 1844; came 
to America in March, 1870, and located in Cherokee and engaged 
in business as above. Mr. Jones makes a specialty of making suits 
to order; he employs none but experienced workmen, and he has a 
reputation second to none in western Iowa. 

George A. Johnson, dealer in general merchandise, established 
business in March, 1871:; was born in Canada in 1812; he came to 
Michigan in 1861. In 1867 he returned to Canada, and in 1871 
he came to Cherokee, la., and was employed as clerk until 1871, 
when he engaged in business as above. He married Eliza Head, 
of Canada, They have four children. 

H. Kennedy, of the firm of H. Kennedy & Co., dealers in gen- 
eral merchandise, established business in 1875; also have a branch 
store in Peterson, Clay county. He was born in Ohio in 1850; 
came to Iowa with his parents in 1855. He next moved to Chero- 
kee and engaged in business as above. 

A. B. Knox, of the firm of Knox & Nicholson, proprietors of 
the N. Y. store, established in 1872, was born in Pa. in 1855; came 
to Cherokee, la., in 1879, and engaged in business. He married 
Lizzie Goheeu, a native of Pa. 

George W. Lebourveau was born in New Hampshire in 1828. 
In 1857 he came to Cherokee, and is one of the pioneers of this 
county; was the first ti'easurer and first recorder of this county, 
was also the first mayor of Cherokee, which position he held two 
terms. He is one of the original town proprietors. He enlisted 
in Co. I, 7th la. cavalry, and served three and a half years. 

David Lynn, of the firm of Lynn & Bryant, proprietors of meat 
market, established business in 1881. He was born in Ohio in 
1841; came to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1859; thence to Winne- 
shiek county; thence to Jackson county. Ills.; thence to Cherokee. 
He served m Co. A, 2nd regiment, LT. S. A., three years; married 
Annie E. Underhill. They have one daughter— Mary F. 

E. R. Little, jeweler (repairing a specialty), established business 
in 1880. He was born in Ohio, November 4th, 1858, and received 
his education in Ohio, where he also learned the jewelry basiness. 
He moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1879, and the following 
year removed to Cherokee and engaged in business as above. 

George L. Moore, manufacturer and dealer in harness and saddles, 
established business in 1881; was born in Aurora, 111., in 1857. 
He came to Cherokee in 1872, and engaged in the same business. 

Arthur Molyneux, of the firm of Molyneux Bros., law and^ 
collecting agents, was born in Sullivan county, Penn., in 1856; 
graduated at Iowa City law school in the class of '81, and soon 
after located in Cherokee, and engaged in business as above. 



2S0 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

R. D. Minor, of the firm of Collins & Minor, was born in 
Waukesha county, Wis., in 1853; came to Cherokee in 1871, and 
engaged in farming until he engaged in his present business. 

E. Miller, county recorder, was born in Pa. in 1850; removed to 
Cedar county, la., in 1852, and to Cherokee in 1872, and engaged 
in farming; was elected to his present office in November, 1880; 
has served as town clerk, also assessor. He married Belle Stone, 
of Ohio. They have two children — Oretas and Orville. 

Thomas McCulla, attorney at law, was born in Hamilton, 
Canada, in 1856; came to the United States when quite young, 
and located in N. Y.; afterwards moved to Muscatine, la., and 
there attended school; then entered the Baptist Institute at Wilton, 
after which he entered the university at Iowa City, graduating 
from the law department in the class of '79; came to Cherokee 
and opened office; makes a specialty of collections. 

Chas. Nicholson, of the firm of Knox & Nicholson, was born in 
Sweden in 1855; came to America in 1871; settled in Mich.; then 
moved to Hampton, la.; thence to Cherokee, and became a part- 
ner in the above business, which was established in 1872, and is 
one of the largest mercantile houses in the city. 

L. W. Newell, dealer in boots and shoes, was born in 111. in 
1855, and when seven years of age moved to Muscatine, la. He 
traveled for a Cincinnati house for two and one-half years, and in 
June, 1881, moved to Cherokee, and established his present busi- 
ness in Aug. of same year. 

H. A. Olmsted, stat'on agent for the I. C. R'y. company, was 
born in Mass, m 1818. He was appointed to his present office in 
1871. He married Cornelia Jones, of Neb. They have three 
children. 

E. L. Olmsted, was born in Mass. in 1851; came to Delaware 
county, la., in 1858. He was for five years in the employ of the 
C, & N. W. R. R. Co., as station agent and operator. 

0. R. Olmstead & Son, are dealers in boots, shoes, overshoes, 
gaiters, etc. R. S. Olmstead, was bornin Wayne county. Pa., in 
1854, and the same year moved with his parents to Wis. He en- 
tered the employ of J. P. Dickey & Co., in 1876. He married 
Frances Brown, of Woodman, Wis. 

Dr. W. H. Palmer, dentist, was born in N. Y. in 1855; was en- 
gaged in dentistry in Syracuse, N. Y., and in 1881 moved to 
Cherokee, la., and opened office the same year. He married Fran- 
ces Campbell, of N. Y., in 1880. 

T. Patton, of the firm of Robertson & Patton, dealers in lumber) 
grain, sash, doors, blinds, etc., was born in Ireland in 1844; came 
to America in 1864, and settled in Dubuque county, la.; thence 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 281 

to Delaware county, and in the autumn of 1870 came to Cherokee, 
and was one of the first settlers; was for some time iu the employ 
of the railroad company; established his present business in 1876. 

Joseph Reed, proprietft- of the bakery and restaurant, was born 
in Pa. in 1829; removed to 111. iu 1861; thence to la. iu 1875; lo- 
cated at Cherokee in 1881. He married Mary Tallman, a native of 
Pa. They have three sons and two daughters. 

J. G. Reigel, blacksmith, repairer and manufacturer, was born 
in Germany in 1849; came to America in 1854, and located in But- 
ler county, Pa.; removed to Hardin county, la.; thence to Mis- 
souri, and iu 1876 came to Cherokee, la., and established his pres- 
ent business. He married Ellen L. Kenyou, and has one child — 
Effie M. 

James Robertson, of the firm of Robertson & Patton, was born 
in Scotland in 1833; came to America in 1856. and settled in Can- 
ada; removed to Cedar county, la., in 1868; thence in the follow- 
ing year to Cherokee, and engaged in buying grain. His present 
business was established in 1870. He married Catherine Comrie, a 
native of Scotland, and has two sons and three daughters, 

R. L. Robie, county auditor, was born in Vt. in 1850; removed 
to Tama county, la., in 1868; thence to Cherokee, and engaged in 
farming. He taught the grammar department of the public schools 
here one term; was appointed county superintendent of schools, 
and served during 1876, and was then appointed deputy clerk 
and treasurer. He was elected to his present office in 1881, 
He married Ella L. Fairfield, of Fond du Lac, Wis. 

A. B. Ross, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, tobacco, cigars, 
crockery, glassware, queensware. etc.; was born in Nova Scotia in 
1843. He came to Cherokee, la., in 1870, and engaged in the 
above business in 1874. 

S. F. Russell, manager of the Fountain House, was born in Ve- 
nango county. Pa., in 1839; removed to Story county, la., in 1867, 
and two years later came to Cherokee and engaged in farming. In 
1878 he took charge of a hotel at Meriden, where he continued 
two years; then engaged in his present position. He served in 
the army four and one-half years in Co. A, 10th 111, Cav.; was 
promoted step by step until he reached first lieutenancy; received 
his discharge at San Antonio, Tex. 

W. A. Sanford, cashier of Scribner, Burroughs & Co.'s bank, 
born in Norwich, N, Y,, in 1854; removed with parents in 1860 to 
Decorah, la. ; thence to Cherokee iu 1875, and engaged in business 
as above. 

Dr. Sherman, of the firm of Butler & Sherman, physicians and 
surgeons, was born in Pa. in 1846; moved west in 1862; graduated 
from the Keokuk medical college in the class of '73, and began the 

19 



2S2 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

practice of medicine in Cherokee the same year. He is also sur- 
geon for the lU. C. Ry. He married Nellie Terry, and has one 
child — Annie. 

E. B. Smith, of the firm of E. B. Smith & Co., furniture dealers 
and undertakers, was born in Canada in 1851; came to the U. S. 
in 1871, and located in Cherokee, la.; was engaged in various oc- 
cupations for a time; then engaged in the above business, which 
was established in 1870. He married Ida Brown, of Syracuse, N. 
Y., and has two children — Homer and Frank. 

A. H. Smith, jeweler and dealer in fine watches and jewelry, 
(business established in 1872), was born in Canada in 1819; re- 
moved to HI. in 1859, and located in DeKalb county; thence moved 
to Calhoun county, la., and in June, 1869, moved to Marcus, and 
the following year to Cherokee. He engaged in business in part- 
nership with G. S. Brown, and afterwards became sole proprietor. 

R. M. Smith, of the firm of H. Assman & Co., dealers in staple 
and fancy groceries, was born in Pa. in 1838; removed to Sioux 
City, la., in 1868; thence to Cherokee in 1872, and engaged in 
farming until engaging in above business, which was established 
in 1876. He served in the army in the 78th Pa. Inft.; was pro- 
moted to captain, major and the lieutenant colonel; received his 
discharge at Nashville, Tenn. He married Maggie Stephens, of 
Pa., and has four children — Leota, Leona, Roy and Meda. 

M. Wakefield, attorney at law, will practice in ail courts in the 
state. He was born in 111. in 1842; moved to Sioux City, la , in 
1870, and the following year located in Cherokee; received his edu- 
cation at the 111. State Normal University, from which he gradu- 
ated in 1865; read law at Bloomington, 111., and was admitted to 
practice by the supreme court, Jan. 18th, 1869. He is mayor of 
Cherokee, and has held minor ofiices in the city. 

Walbridge & Moore, attorneys at law, land, loan and realfestate 
office. They have fifty thousand acres of wild land for sale, rang- 
ing in price from three to ten dollars per acre; also improved farms 
for sale. Business was establiehed in 1879. 

Z. A. Wellman, postmaster, was born in N. Y. in 1826; studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1849; came to Delaware county, 
la., and engaged in the practice of his profession, which he con- 
tinued for tAventy years. Duiing President Fillmore's adminis- 
tration, he was appointed postmaster, but his health failing him, 
he engaged in farming, and in 1870 removed to Cherokee from 
Benton county, and engaged in the drug business. In 1872 he 
was appointed postmaster of this city, and has held the office ever 
since. 

L. M. White, of the firm of White Bros,, proprietors of restau- 
rant and bakery, and dealers in staple and fancy groceries, was born 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 283 

in Bloorasburgh, Columbia county, Pa., in 1859; received his edu- 
cation at the State Normal School, at Bloomsburgh; removed to 
Cherokee in 1881, and established the above business in June of 
the same year. 

J. C. Wilson, photographer, (copying and enlarging a specialty), 
was born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1848; moved to Ogdensburg, N. 
Y., in 18G2, and came to Cherokee, la., in 1870, being one of its 
earliest settlers; has served as a member of the city council two 
years. He married Carrie L. Bates, of Durand, 111., and has one 
child^Bessie M, 

Ed. Williams, dealer in all kinds of grain, took charge of this 
business in 1879; was born in 0.,in 1847; moved to Cedar Falls, 
la., in 1854, and engaged in buying grain near that place. He 
married Carrie Maxwell, of la. 

F. D. Yaw, liveryman, was born in N. Y. in 1836; removed to 
Delaware county, la., in 1861, and to Cherokee in 1870, and estab- 
lished his present business; has a large barn and can furnish good 
rigs at reasonable rates; also buys and sells horses on commission. 

Geo. W. Young, of the firm of Geo. W. Young & Co., proprie- 
tors of the Washington House, was born in N. H.^ and was for- 
merly connected with the Gulf City House, at Mobile, Ala. He 
perfectly understands the hotel business, keeps a house that is first- 
class in every particular, and will spare no pains to make it pleas- 
ant and comfortable for the traveling public. 'Bus to and from 
trains. The house is going to be remodeled soon, another story 
added, and also an addition 30x50 feet, and all modern improve- 
ments, bath rooms, etc, 

MARCUS. 

Joseph Beck, dealer in general hardware, established business 
in 1877, He was born in Germany in 1838; came to America in 
1864, and engaged in wagon making and the hardware business in 
Jackson county, la., in 1872; removed to Marcus in 1877. He at 
present is town trustee of that place. He married Margaret Smith 
of Germany, in 1867. They have five children — Joseph, Kate, 
Bennie, Laura and George. 

C. F. Collier, of the firm of C. F: Collier & Son, detilers in dry 
goods, groceries, clothing and furniture, (business established in 
1876), Avas born in Mass. in 1830; moved to Vt. in 1839; thence to 
Illinois in 1853; thence to Dubuque, la.', in 1862. and engaged in 
railroading. He married Lydia Dow in 1854, and has two children 
— Fred P. and Luther D. F. F, C. was bcrn in 111., in 1856; moved 
to Marcus in 1876, and engaged in the above business. He was 
elected city marshal in 1880. 

John Ernster, of the firm of Erneter& Oleson, dealers in boots, 
hoes, clocks, jewelry and sewing machines, was born in Germany 



284 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

in 1851; came to America in 1861. He engaged in the lioot and 
shoe business in Marcus in 1875, and in his present business and 
partnership in 1881. 

J. H. Grey, of the firm of J. H. Grey & Co., real estate, loan and 
insurance office, dealers in lands in Cherokee, Plymouth, O'Brien 
and Sioux counties. Business was established in May, 1881. He 
was born in Darlington, Wis., in 1853; was engaged for a time in 
the real estate business in Neb.; removed to Iowa in 1881. 

Louis Gund, president of the Marcus Bank, established business 
in 1881, with a cash capital of $15,000. He is also proprietor of a 
large grain elevator in Marcus. He was born in Germany in 1843; 
came to America in 1847 and settled in III.; moved to la. in 1867 
and for a time was engaged in the hotel business; then engaged in 
the agricultural business at Blairtown, and came to this city in 
1876. He married Margaret Schall, of la., in 1869, and has three 
children — Minnie C, Cora, and Wm. Louis. 

P. J. Hiltgen, cashier of the Marcus Bank, was born in Germany 
in 1849; came to America in 1861 and settled in Minu.: moved to 
la. in 1877, and engaged in the mercantile business; was elected 
town clerk in 1878 and justice of the peace in 1879. He married 
Therisa Barud of N. Y., in 1874, and has one child — Lucy. 

John Hyndman, dealer in dry goods, groceries, notions, boots, 
shoes and coal, is the pioneer merchant of Marcus; established 
business in 1873. He was born in Ireland in 1838; came to Amer- 
ica and settled in Canada in 1853; began teaching school the same 
year, and continued in that occupation for more than ten years. 
He came to Iowa, and was elected secretary of the school board of 
Marcus, which office he held for two years. 

J. Jungers, proprietor of the Marcus Hotel, was born in Belgium 
in 1832; came to America in 1853, and settled in Marcus in 1856, 
and engaged in the hotel business. He married Annie Pool, of 
Belgium. They have nine children — John, Lucy, Josephus, Bar- 
bara, Mary, Kate, Frank, Lena and Jenjie. 

John Metcalf, of the firm of Clarkson & Metcalf, land agents 
and dealers in grain and live stock, established business in 1875; 
was formerly engag-^d in the live stock business in Eldora; then 
in the millinery and live stock business in Alden; then came to 
Marcus. Mr. Clarkson is from Aurelia, where he was engaged in 
the mercantile business. 

C. B. Oldfield, of the firm of J. H. Gray & Co., real estate deal- 
ers, was born in Worcestershire, Eng., in 1859; came to America 
in 1881, and located at Marcus. 

Ole Oleson, of the firm of Ernester & Oleson, dealers in boots, 
shoes, clocks, jewelry and sewing machines, established business in 
1881. He was born in Norway in 1856; came to America in 1877, 
and vsettled in Iowa county, Wis.; came to Iowa in 1880. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 285 



HARRISON COUNTY, 



This couni y is one of the most populous, popular, and, at the 
same time, conservative counties of Iowa. It is rich, without 
being aggressive; secure, without being assertive; in other words, 
a fine body of land, owned by a fine class of people, Harrison 
county has a right to be proud of herself. 

Lying on the Missouri River, in the fourth tier from the south- 
ern boundary, Harrison is one of the western border counties of 
the state; is twenty-four miles north and south by an average of 
about twenty-seven east and west, and contains a superficial area 
of nearly six hundred and sixty square miles. 

Like most of the counties in Iowa bordering the Missouri River, 
Harrison county presents a greater variety of surface configuration 
than is found in the inland counties to the eastward. A number 
of streams, that are more or less fully described in the histories of 
adjoining counties, gain the Missouri bottoms within the limits of 
this county, issuing from the uplands through the blufi:s, causing 
them to assume those strikingly picturesque and peculiar shapes 
characteristic of the scenery of the valley of the middle Missouri. 
Nearly every portion of the county is well watered and drained by 
clear, sparkling streams and brooklets, which flow diagonall}' across 
its territory in a general southwest direction. The principal of 
these water-courses are the Boyer, Soldier and Little Sioux Rivers, 
and Wilson, Pigeon and Mosquito Creeks, several of which are of 
considerable size, and aff'ord along their course in this county a 
number of excellent mill sites, only a portion of which have been 
improved. The valley of the Boyer is a beautiful tract of alluvial 
land, from one-half to two miles in width, bounded on either hand 
by gently ascending slopes until it nears the Missouri bottoms, 
where the surroundings become more abrupt and bold. The course 
of the Little Sioux in this county is mostly through the bottoms, 
though where it merges from the uplands it is marked by bluffs of 
peculiar interest, whose tops are conical peaks, flanked by sharp- 
crested, spur-like ridges. One of the most beautiful valleys of 
this slope is that of the Soldier River, which is bordered by bluffs 
which are unrivaled in the variety and picturesque beauty of their 
scenery. The bottoms slope gently from the foot of the bluffs to- 
ward the river, and form well-defined terraces, which afford beau- 
tiful rural situations. The valleys of Pigeon and Mosquito Creeks, 
in the southeast, are margined by high sloping upland, and their 
beds occupied by tracts of rich alluvial lands, which are unsur- 
passed for beauty and fertility. The current of the Missouri 
River, which bounds this county on the west, is very rapid, with a 
deep, constantly changing channel, often cutting oft" whole sections 



286 HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

of land in one season. These bottoms are vast level plains, vaiy- 
ins in width from four to ten miles, and are bordered on the east 
by beautiful rounded bluffs, rising from one to three hundred feet 
above the river level. They are traversed by low benches or un- 
dulations, which, running more or less parallel to the river, are in- 
tervened by low grounds that afford natural drainage channels, 
that receive and confine within bounds much of the surplus waters 
of the Missouri in seasons of freshets, which would otherwise flood 
extensive tracts of the best land for agricultural purposes in the 
West. A belt of cottonwood timber extends through the county 
up and down the river, from one-half to six miles in Avidth, inter- 
spersed with elm, mulberry, walnut, willow, ash, etc. The cotton- 
wood grows very large and tall. In passing over the bottoms 
through the timber, a person will observe a streak of very heavy 
cottonwood timber, and then of tall willow trees from a foot to 
three and four feet each in circumference. The willow follows 
the old bed of the river, and as soon as the channel changes and 
leaves the bed dry it springs up rapidly, and when the bed of the 
river is raised to a certain height, then cottonwood crowds in, and a 
dense forest is soon made. The soil in the bottom is very rich and 
deep, producing every kind of grain and vegetables in the greatest 
abundance. Corn grows very large. The grass is said to be so 
rich and luxuriant that cattle will keep fat on it even in winter 
without cutting or curing. Many farmers in mild winters have 
let their cattle range in the bottoms Avithout any feed, pasturing 
them on the grass and keeping them in good order. Water un- 
derlies the soil of the bottoms at the depth of fourteen feet, and 
wherever you find water there you find quicksand. It is supposed 
that the whole bottom, from the bluffs of the Nebraska side to the 
bluffs in Iowa, has been one vast lake, and the Missouri River 
running through it has filled it up and formed the bottom lands. 
There is every indication of it. Every few rods along the bottoms 
you will see evidence of where once has flowed the channel of the 
river. The settlers on the bottoms say they are getting drier every 
year, and less subject to inundation. The agent A\dio located 
swamp lands in 1857 relates that he rode for miles through water 
where there is now fine, high and dry farming lands. The low 
places along the bottoms are fast filling up, and where once were 
ponds and marshes is now dry land with good farms upon them. 
The Missouri bottoms will be at no distant day covered Avith the 
finest farms in the Union. 

There are quite a chain of lakelets commencing near the mouth 
of the Little Sioux River and continuing along the bottoms. Some 
of them are near the bluffs, others out in the bottoms and near the 
river, Avhile all ha^e at one day been in the channel of the river or 
are the old bed of the Missouri. Many of these little lakes have 
fish in them; and are beautiful and nice little sheets of Avater. The 
channels of the streams in the bottoms are, or have been, chang- 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 287 

ing. The mouth of the Soklier River is one mile from where it 
was twelve years ago, and the Missouri also, at this point, is over a 
mile troni where it was in 1855. The land in the old channel is 
as high as that of the surrounding country; no more subject to in- 
undations, and is covered with a heavy groAvth of cottonwood. The 
lakelets, it is said, are fast filling up, and perhaps when the country 
becomes settled and cultivated will entirely dissapear. Persons 
digging wells frequently find logs, driftwood, bark, etc., several 
feet below the surface. A farmer digging a well recently, near 
what is known as Soldier's Lake, found a large pocket knife four- 
teen feet below the surface. 

The soil in the uplands consist of the light colored deposits of 
the bluff formation, which does not differ materially from that in 
the bottoms, except that the silicious material of which it is largely 
composed is more finely comminuted, and has a less amount of 
vegetable matter or humus. As the soil of the uplands and bot- 
toms was derived from the same source, it only differs in degree, 
that in the former reaching a depth of sixty or one hundred feet 
below the surface. It is said that dirt taken out of wells sixty feet 
deep seems to produce as well as that on the surface. The soil is 
easily cultivated, and produces all the grains and vegetables common 
to this latitude in great abundance. It does not cave; wells do not 
have to be walled, except for a few feet down from the top and at 
the waters' edge. The soil never bakes, but can be plowed with- 
out injury in wet weather. It stands both wet and dry weather 
remarkably. A failure of crops has never been known. The soil 
in the bottoms is more of a clay nature, and in wet weather is very 
sticky. 

Harrison contains more timber than any other county on the 
Missouri slope, yet it is limited in extent, its distribution being 
governed by circumstances favorable to its preservation, and is 
consequently found in the deep shaded ravines that crowd up into 
the bluffs, and along the small streams which- are confined to nar- 
row valleys hemmed in by steep bluff ascents. But, as observation 
has repeatedly shown in all parts of the state, forests are not neces- 
sarily confined to the valleys and moister localities, and thrive 
as well in one location as another, when tJie devastation of the 
prairie fires are checked for a period of sufficient duration to allow 
the young trees a few years of unretarded growth. Hundreds of 
acres of prairie have been overgrown with thrifty groves of vig- 
orous young timber within the memory of early settlers, which 
period extends back scarce a score of years. These tracts of young 
forests add a pleasing feature to the landscape in these beautiful 
undulating divides, as that near Magnolia, and Harris' grove south 
of Logan, attests. Fine groves are met with in the valleys of the 
Soldier and Little Sioux Rivers, while the banks of the Mistouri 
throughout its course in this county are lined with a belt of fine 
forest growth. 



288 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

Numerous orchards have been set out in the county, and apples, 
pears, quinces and grapes grow in abundance, and of excellent 
quality. Some peaches have been raised, while in the bottom 
lands the finest quality of wild grapes are found in great profusion. 
In 1867 over five hundred barrels of wine were made from these 
grapes and shipped to Chicago, besides large quantities which was 
used at home. 

Limestone is found, the best and most extensive quarries being 
found near Logan, from which a considerable amount is annually 
shipped to Council Bluffs and other points. There are also two 
or three other quarries which have been worked to some extent in 
other parts of the county. 

As a stock-raising and producing county, Harrison has had quite 
a reputation, the native grasses being very nutritious and affording 
excellent pasturage at nearly all seasons of the year. Fat cattle 
from this county have for years been famous in Chicago markets 
and command the highest prices. 

Daniel Brown was the first white man who settled in the county, 
locating where the village of Calhoun now is, April 3, ISiS. His 
nearest neighbor was twelve miles distant, his nearest mill twenty- 
two miles, and nearest post office Council Bluffs, twenty-five miles. 
He had to go to St. Joseph, Missouri, one hundred and fifty miles 
for provisions that season, and while he was gone the Indians came 
and robbed his family of provisions and all the necessary articles 
of comfort. When he returned he found his family destitute of 
food and clothing. Soon after his return the Indians stole all his 
horses, and all those of the other settlers in the county. He and 
his son followed them for several miles, trying to recapture them, 
but were unsuccessful. They fired a number of shots at the Indi- 
ans. The Indians frequently killed his cattle and annoyed him a 
great deal during the first few years of his rei^idence in the county. 
The following were also among the first settlers, Silas Condit, two 
brothers by the name of Chase, Charles Lepenta, James Hardy, 
Dr. Robert McGovern, Andrew Allen and Jacob Putee. 

The county was organized in 1853, when Stephen King 
elected County Judge; P. G. Cooper, District Court Clerk: Ches- 
ter Hamilton, Sheriff; William Cooper, Treasurer and Recorder; 
George White, Surveyor; and Jacob Huffman, Coroner. The first 
county court was held August 5, 1853, by Stephen King, Judge. 
First road petition presented was for the establishment of a road, 
commencing at the south line of the county, running thence to 
the residence of Daniel Brown, and thence to Magnolia. The first 
mortgage on record was made by Samuel Jack to James Jack, ac- 
knowledged by Frank Street, County Judge of Pottawattamie 
County. First deed on record was made by Ezra and Catharine 
Vincent, to Walter Barrenger, conveying the northeast of the 
southeast of section 8. township 79, range 48. The first wedding 
was celebrated June 9, 1853, Stephen King, County Judge, uniting 



II 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 289 

in the holy bonds of wedlock, John Jones and Miss Elizabeth 
Outhouse. The second occurred on the 16th of the following 
August, when the same judge united Samuel McGaven and Miss 
Mary M. Harden. The total number of marriages since the or- 
ganization up to January 1, 1868, was four hundred and ninety. 

The first district court was held by Honorable S. H. Riddle in 
May, 1855, at which time the first cause on the docket was Wil- 
liam Kennedy vs. D. Pate, Avhile the total number were four civil 
and one criminal. The first grand jury were: Creed Saunders, 
James Garnett, John Conger, Chester Staley, H. Locklin, T. Mea- 
dus, P. K. Sharp, Thomas Sellers, S. A. Seaman, Solomon Barnett, 
John Deal, I. H. Holton, D. E. Brainard, Silas Rue and Solomon 
Garnett. D. E. Brainard was appointed foreman. John Jeffary 
was the first person naturalized, and Thomas Thompson the sec- 
ond. The number of cases since the organization of the county 
up to November 25, 1867, were, civil, 749, and ninety-one criminal. 

In the Fall of 1853 a party of Indians camped on Willow Creek. 
The settlers were afraid that they would commit some depreda- 
tions, organized a company and went to drive them off. Among 
the number was a gentleman from Virginia, who had been a 
captain in the Virginia militia, and had brought his broad sword 
and regimentals with him, and was "decked out" in full dress, 
and took command. He boasted of his bravery and would show 
the bloody red skins a trick or two." The company set out on 
horseback, marching in gallant style, led by their brave and daring 
officer — in his own imagination. The bloody savages were to be 
exterminated, a brilliant victory to be obtained, and the troopers 
were to return home covered all over with glory. While march- 
ing along to the scene of conflict, they discovered the Indian en- 
campment about a mile ahead across Willow Creek. They halted, 
commenced firing, and continued it for some time. The Indians 
hearing it, some half a dozen warriors got on their ponies and 
rode towards the troopers to see what was the matter. The latter 
seeing the warriors approaching, suddenly imagined that they 
would be surrounded, overpowered, slaughtered, and scalped, broke 
for their homes as fast as their horses could carry them. Many of 
the troopers were so badly scared that they did not know their 
own houses, but went on past them. The warriors seeing the 
fleeing troopers, raised a big laugh, and rode back to their en- 
campment in safety. 

For several years the Indians annoyed the settlers a great deal 
by stealing or begging. Companies were frequently organized to 
drive them off, and some times there would be some shooting, but 
no one was ever hurt. Mr. Brown states that in 1858 there was 
a large party of Indians encamped on the Boyer; he with twenty- 
six others went out to drive them ofl". They came near the en- 
campment and formed in battle line. The chief and a half-breed 
got on their ponies and rode out to them. The chief proposed to 



290 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

make a treaty with the whites, and it was made with the condi- 
tion that the Indians should leave the county. There were 120 
warriors with their women and children. The Indians left the 
county. 

In the Fall of 1853 quite a large party of Ottoe Indians were 
encamped within eight miles of Magnolia. One evening the 
settlers informed them that they had better leave or the Sioux 
would attack them before morning. In the night a firing was 
heard by the settlers. They went upon a high bluff to see what 
was the matter, and sure enough the Sioux were pouring a heavy 
fire into the encampment of the Ottoes. The latter were scream- 
ing and yelling with all vengeance, and fled into the Missouri 
bottoms. The next day the settlers attacked them and drove 
them across the Missouri River. They swam the river on their 
ponies. Harrison County seemed to have been a hunting ground 
for the Indians, as no tribe resided in the county. 

On Willow Creek, about six miles from Magnolia, there are old 
ruins of some kind of a house that has the appearance of having 
been built out of burnt brick. 

MONDAMIN. 

Mondamin, one of the heavy shipping points of the Lower Mis- 
souri Valley, is situated thirty-eight miles north of Council Bluffs 
on the Sioux City & Pacific Railway. The oldest settlers on the 
town-site is Capt. John Noyes, who with Clarke Ruffcorn, his son- 
in-law, came here from the east and settled in the township in the 
fall of 1856. The township at that time was a fraction of Raglan 
township. It was subsequently named Morgan, which name it 
still bears. Although Capt. Noyes is the oldest settler in Monda- 
min, he preceded Mr. E. J. Hagerman, the present postmaster, 
but a few weeks. The former gentleman arrived by boat, while 
Mr. Hagerman came by team. Both started from the same place 
together and, but the difference in the time required for the jour- 
ney intervened between their arrivals. Previous to the arrival of 
Messrs. Noyes and Ruffcorn, there were but four settlers in the 
township. Mr. David W. Fletcher, although there was no thought 
of a town being located in the vicinity at that time, had just pre- 
vious to the advent of the gentleman named established a general 
merchandise store, and shortly after the arrival of Mr. Hagerman, 
the two formed a partnership. With one exception, no other busi- 
ness house was erected in the place prior to its platting, in the 
winter of 1867-8, when the railway was first laid through the town. 
The exception noted was a general store erected by Capt. John 
Noyes, some months after. 

The postoffice was established in Mondamin in the summer of 
the year 1868, and the D. W. Fletcher before-mentioned was 
commissioned as postmaster. Mr. Fletcher held the position less 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. • 291 

than a year, when he was succeeded by the present postmaster, Mr. 
Hagerman. As the salary attached to the office amounted to but 
twelve dollars per year there was not a great deal of wrangling 
over the appointment. The office at present, though having con- 
sidera])le business, is not a money-order office. 

The town was platted in the winter of 1867-8 by John I. Blair 
and others of the Iowa Land Company. At first, when the rail- 
road was built, no town was plaited, the calculation being to lo- 
cate the town some distance north of the present site. Measures 
to this end were actually taken, on account of the unwillingness 
of settlers to part Avith the required land. Some of the settlers, 
however, reconsidered matters, and the town was eventually lo- 
cated where it now stands. The site comprises 160 acres, though 
it is not all platted. Eighty acres of this land was sold to the 
owners of the town-site by Capt. Noyes, and the remainder by 
Messrs. Fletcher and George Morgareidge, in the fall and winter 
of 1868. Previous to the building of the railroad, no thought of 
a town in this particular locality was had. 

The oldest building now on the town-site is the residence of Dr. 
T. H. Allison. This structure was erected in the fall of 1868. 

Although the vicinity of Mondamin is not, strictly speaking, 
a wheat country, it has other resources of magnitude, and its trade 
in corn is not second to that of any town on the line of the Sioux 
City & Pacific railway, north of Missouri Valley Junction. This 
promises to continue, as a twenty-five-year resident of the county 
gave the assurance that in the time specified, there had never been 
a failure, and but few small crops. Mondamin has cribbing capac- 
ity for 100,000 bushels of this grain, and the number of bushels 
handled by dealers during the year closed was 200,000. The com- 
ing year promises an increase. 

In addition to corn, cattle, hogs, wood and other country pro- 
ducts, are exported in large cjuantities. One dealer of Mondamin 
paid nearly fifty thousand dollars last year for hogs alone. 

Mondamin having reach about two hundred population, her en- 
terprising citizens took measures at the October, 1S81, term of the 
Circuit Court to file articles of incorporation, with a view of 
securing a village charter. In sequence thereto, an election to 
secure ratification by the citizens was had, and a mayor, clerk and 
five trustees were elected. Subsequently it was discovered that in 
accordance with the revised statutes, a sixth trustee would be neces- 
sary to give legality to the incorporation, and another election was 
held. The second election resulted in the re-election of the officers 
first chosen, and F. M. Dupray as an additional trustee. The full 
board was: E. J. Hagerman, Mayor; A. Spooner, Clerk; Byron 
Strode, Thomas Reagan, Z. T. Noyes, E. Jones, P. C. Spooner, F. M. 
Dupray , trustees. The. first meeting of the board was held Novem- 
ber 26th, 1881. 



292 HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

One of the most potential influences in the incorporation o£ the 
place, was The Mondamin Independent, a neat little six-column 
folio newspaper published weekly, the first number of which was 
issued August 13th, 1881, by W. H. VV^onder, who, a year before, 
had established in Mondamin The Musical Banner, a four-page 
musical journal. Besides conducting these journals, the publisher 
practices his profession of teaching and publishing music, organ- 
izing musical conventions, etc. The results of the incorporation 
are beginning to make themselves apparent in the shape of new 
sidewalks, etc. 

The general business of Mondamin, classified, is as follows: 
Three dry goods and grocery stores, two grocery and notion stores, 
one drug store, jewelry store, hotel, restaurant, two hardware and 
tin-shops, furniture store, blacksmith shop, wagon shop, two 
livery stables, shoe shop, stock shipper, three grain dealers, meat 
market, billiard hall and saloon, agricultural implement dealer, 
lumber yard, harness shop, carpenter shop, dealer in music books 
and sheet music. There is also a notary public and insurance 
agent. The bar has one representative here, and medicine three. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Mondamin Congregational Church Society. — This society was 
organized with about thirty members, in the early part of 1876, 
by Kev. C. N. Lyman, of Onawa. Mr. Lyman still ministers to 
the spiritual wants of the congregation, and holds services in the 
school house once in two weeks. Although somewhat at a dis- 
advantage for the present regarding a place of meeting, arrange' 
ments have been made for the erection of a suitable house of wor- 
ship the coming spring, and over $700 have already been sub- 
scribed for the purpose. The society, owing to the departure 
from the vicinity of a number of its original members, is now not 
cpiite as large as it was at the outset, and at present has but about 
twenty-five members. The society has also a Sabbath school in 
connection therewith, of which P. C. Spooner is superintendent. 
The average attendance is about forty-five, and services are held 
every Sunday morning in the school house. 

Methodist. — Although there is no organized Methodist society, 
of any branch, in Mondamin, there are a number of adherents 
to the doctrines of the Meth.odist Episcopal Church, and for their 
benefit services are held in the school house once in two weeks by 
Rev. H. J. Smith, of Little Sioux. 

Other Religious Sects. — Although there are numerous representa- 
tives of other religious sects in this vicinity, particularly Univer- 
salists, there is no other organized society beyond the one men- 
tioned. The sect particularized has occasionally been preached to 
by various itinerant brethren of their belief. 

Mondamin Public Schools. — Although the town is incorporated, 
Mondamin, as yet, has not been made an independent school dis- 



« 



HISTORY OF TOAVA. 293 

trict, but the limits within the jurisdiction of the town school is 
known as Sub-District No. 1 of Morgan Township. It is believed, 
however, by those in a position to knoAV, that the sub-district has 
sufficient population to warrant its admission as an independent 
district, and that this consummation will soon be attained. There 
are 100 pupils in the sub-district. The sub-district erected a one- 
room building, 30x40 feet in dimensions, in the fall of 1871, when 
the sub-district was first organized, but the increased attendance 
has necessitated the renting of another room. This difficulty, 
however, is soon to be met by a larger public edifice. The first 
sub-director was E. M. Harvey. The present one is E. J. Hager- 
nian. 

Mondamin Lodge No. 392, /. 0. 0. F. — This lodge was organ- 
ized May 22d, 1879, with charter members as follows: F. M. Du- 
pray, N. G.; E. Jones, V. G.; J. A. Yost, S.; A. W. Garrison, P. 
S.: F. W. Brooks, C. M. Gilmore, Byron Strode, Thomas Byers, 
B. J. Faylor, members. Six other members were also initiated the 
same evening, and of these several were immediatel}^ placed in 
officers' vacant chairs. The lodge was organized by I). G. M. 
J. C Miliman, of Logan. The lodge at present contains thirty- 
four members, with the following officers: B. J. Faylor, N. G.; 
Benjamin Morrow, V. G.; J. A. Yost, S.; R. B. Hall," T.; F. M. 
Dupray, W.; B. Strode, C; T. Morrow, I?. S. N. G.; T. C. F. 
Brenneman, L. S. N. G.: C. Gilmore, 0. G.; William Griffith, I. 
G.; A. Forrester. R. S. V. G.; E. Jones, L. S. V. G.; Anton Uhrig, 
R. S. S.: Z. T. Noyes, L. S. S. The lodge which is in a flourish- 
ing condition; meets in Noyes' hall every Saturday evening. 

Mondamin Lt/ceum. — This society has just been organized with 
thirty members, and its history is yet to be made. The object is 
intellectual and social development. B. Strode is the President, 
and the Society holds its meetings in the schoolhouse on Friday 
night of each week. 

Mondamin Chorus Choir. — Thi=! society consists of about fifteen 
members, and it is non-sectarian in character. The object is musi- 
cal cultivation . The choir meets every week in the schoolhouse. 

RIVER SIOUX. 

This thriving place is located on the Sioux City & Pacific Rail- 
way, at or ver\^ near the junction of the Missouri and Little Sioux 
Rivers, on the south side of the latter stream. It contains a pop- 
ulation of 225. The town, although unincorporated and small, is 
delightfully situated in the midst of lieavy timber, of various kinds, 
and is one of the most progressive business places in the county. 
The town owes its origin to the advent of the Sioux City & Pacific 
Railroad, the authorities of which platted it in October, 1868. 
The original town site was a few hundred yards north of the pres- 
ent one, on the north side of the Little Sioux River. This loca- 
tion, however, was found to be too low for a town site, as it was 



29i HISTORY OF IOWA. 

subject to inundation, and the town was accordingly removed to 
its present location. This transfer was made in the summer of 
1876. The new location showed the wisdom of those who chose 
it, as it is the highest point of land on the railway south of Ser- 
geant's Bluffs. On the original town site there were but three 
settlers, Reuben Newton, depot agent, S. Chase, who lived there 
prior to the advent of the railroad, and E. J. Davis. 

The land to which the town site was finally transferred was 
owned by Henry Herring, E. J. Davis and James Crabb and the 
undivided half of eighty acres, was by them given to the railway 
company with the understanding that the town should be removed 
thereto. 

As before stated, the business of Little Sioux, in proportion to 
population and number of establishments, is quite large. The fol- 
lowing are the various kinds of business, ennumerated : Two gen- 
eral merchandise stores, drug and grocery store, drug store, hard- 
ware store, three saloons, hotel, lumber yard, two saw-mills, black- 
smith and wagon shop, grain and stock dealer, butcher shop. 

The professions are represented in River Sioux by two physi- 
cians, two lawyers and one civil engineer. 

As River Sioux is situated in the midst of a productive country, 
which is rapi'lly increasing in population, the shipments of Aarious 
kinds of produce are necessarily quite large, and they are rapidly 
increasing in amount and value. At present they will aggregate 
from two to three car loads per day. The business of the station 
is ably handled by the agent, R. Newton, who is at present the 
oldest settler on the town site, he having removed thereto with the 
transfer of the town site. Although River Sioux cannot properly 
be described as a port of call for Missouri River steamers, vessels 
of this description have in previous years come up the Sioux as far 
as the town, and it is thought that a systematic course of dredging 
and widening of the channel would make it possible for this de- 
scription of craft to come up at all stages of water. In justice to 
dissenting opinion, however, it must be stated that there are those 
who regard such a scheme as chimerical to the highest degree. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Methodist Episcopal Church Society . — This society has no church 
building, but is composed of about thirty members. The congrega- 
tion meets in the town hall. The society has been in existence 
only since the organization of the Little Sioux Circuit in 1876, and 
has no resident pastor, and it is now one of the appointments 
of the Little Sioux Circuit, of which Rev. H. J. Smith, of Lit- 
tle Sioux, is the minister. The erection of a church at no distant 
future is being discussed. Outside of the members of the society, 
there is a good attendance of non-members, and there is more than 
a probability that the society will soon see a church of its own. Be- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 295 

sides this society, there is no other organized religions body in River 
Sioux, although occasional services have been held in the place by 
the clergymen of other denominations. 

Odd FeUows. — There is a lodge of Odd Fellows at River Sioux. 
The lodge contains twenty-three members, and was organized in 
January, 1879. The following is the list of elective officers first 
installed: N. G., J. Simmons; V. G., J. Bowie; S., C. A. Demun; 
T., S. Demmon. The present elective officers are; John Whiting, 
N. G.; Henry Herring, V. G.; James Harmon, S.; John Henry, W. 

Good Templars.— k\i\\ovL^ there is no temperance organization 
in River Sioux, an effi^rt is making looking towards the organiza- 
tion of a subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Good 
Templars. 

Public Schools. — The school district, of which Sub-District No- 
6 (Riyer Sioux) is a part, is Little Sioux Township District, which 
was organized in April, 1857. Sub-District No. 6 was organized 
September 21, 187-1, and Charles McEvers was elected the following 
spring as sub-director. The present officers of the school town- 
ship are: Samuel Ellis, President; Samuel Dewell, Secretary; 
Charles Smith, Gilbert Smith, S. A. Page, Samuel Taylor and 
George W. Rock. Sub-District No. 6, has at present a neat little 
school-house 26x40 feet in dimensions, but as there are ninety 
children of school age in the Sub-District, the space is inadequate 
to its wants, and the coming season a larger structure will be 
erected at a cost of ^3,000. The school is under the supervision 
of E. A. Baldwin, of Little Sioux, and is in a flourishing condition. 
Although containing but one room, two departments have been 
maintained until recently, but lack of space necessitated the dis- 
continuance of one department. This state of affairs is to be 
remedied hereafter. Upon the completion of the new school- 
house, the District will be made Independent. 

WOODBINE. 

The first permanent settler in the vicinity of W^oodbine was 
Richard Musgrave, who arrived in 1852, from Council Bluffs. Mr. 
Musgrave settled in the Twelve-mile Grove, two miles south of 
town, where he still resides, engaged in farming. Mr. Musgrave 
was one of a number of monogamous Mormons who came to west- 
ern Iowa and located at the time of the migration of the original 
church from Illinois and Missouri. 

L. D. Butler was the second permanent settler in the vicinity. 
He has never resided in the town proper, but has been in business 
there most of the time since his arrival. Mr. Butler came to 
Council Bluffs in 1819. At th<at time, this portion of Harrison 
County was a wilderness, inhabited only by wild deer, elk, wolves, 
etc. The only settlements that had been made anywhere near 
were by the Mormons aforesaid, of whom Mr. Butler was one at 



296 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

the time. lu a stray excursion northward, Mr. Butler was struck 
hy the beauty and fertility of the land in the neighborhood of 
what is now Woodbine, and in 1853 he came here and located near 
the town-site, occupying one of a number of abandoned Mormon 
dwellings until he could erect a suitable building. The building 
he put up was situated about one and one-half miles east of the 
present town. He then commenced farming. Mr. l^utler built a 
grist and saw-mill at the point mentioned in the year 1855. This 
was the first mill erected in Harrison County. 

Among other old settlers are Jacob Harshbarger, David Selleck, 
Dr. Cole, Henry Hushaw, G. W. Pugsley. John Jeffries, Matthew 
Hall and others whose names could not be reaaily obtained. These 
came between the years 1853-5. 

The town was platted in the fall of 1866, by the Blair Town Lot 
and Land Company. This was the year of the completion of the 
Chicago and Northwestern Railway to this point. The Land 
Comjjany purchased 1,200 acres of land for the use of the town, 
though but a comparatn'ely small portion of it has been platted. 
The parties selling this tract to the Land Company were Matthew 
Winters, David E. Barnura, Hiram Wisener, W. F. Clark, G. M. 
Brown, I. McAtee, John Johnson and M. Kiger. 

The town was incorporated in the latter part of 1877, and the 
first meeting of the town council was held on December Tth, 1877. 
The following was the composition of the first council: A.. W. 
Curtiss, Mayor; C. C. Matter, Recorder; Joseph Clizbe, J. W. 
Vinacke, G. H. Kibler, C. W. Jeffries, C. D. Stevens, Trustees. 
The present officers are: J. V. Mallery, Mayor; Frank Folts, Re- 
corder; Frank A. Butler, T. L, Canfield, J. C. McLain, H. B. 
Kling, S. L. Winter, 0. D. Smith Trustees. 

The money-order postoffice at Woodbine is a legitimate successor 
of an office established in 1858, eight years before the town was 
platted. The original office was located at the grist-mill of Mr, 
Butler, previously mentioned, some distance from the town-site. 
The intention of the settlers was to name the office Harrison City 
Postoffice; but the department at W^ashington did not care to is- 
sue papers with that name as there were already several Harrisons 
in Iowa, and it was tnought an additional one would lead to confu- 
sion. The name Woodbine was finally suggested by Mrs. Butler, 
and it was accepted. The name was taken from the cottage in 
which Mrs. Butler resided, as a girl, in England. The first post- 
master was Mr. Butler, who held the office for about ten years and 
for some time after its removal to its present site. The present 
postmaster is Lysander Crane, who has been in office about a year. 
The postoffice name was applied to the town by the platters of the 
same. 

The first building erected on the town -site was Gallagher & Bros. 
saloon, which was built just before the railroad was graded to this 
point. The first residence was put up in 1866, by William A. Jones. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 297 

The next building erected was in ISGGby J. P. Moore. The house, 
the Woodbine House, is still standing, with additions, and was the 
first \hotel in the place. Among other buildings erected about 
this time, were the residpuce and the hardware store of A. Cad- 
well, Sleight & Williams' agricultural implement warehouse, CD. 
Stevens' grocery store, L. D. Battler's general merchandise store, 
(the first in the place), McAtee's grocery store. Dr. Cole's drug 
store and several other smaller concerns. 

Woodbine Lodge, No. 405, I. 0. 0. F., was inslituted in April, 
1880. Charter members: F. J. Porter, S. L. Winter, W. J. 
Callender, A. P. Lathrop, W. C. Sampson, George Musgrave, and 
others. First officers: F. J. Porter, N. G.: S. L. Winter, V. G.; 
W. J. Callender, Secretary; W. C. Sampson, Treasurer. Present 
officers: A. P. Lathrop, N. G.; George Musgrave, V. G.; H. B. 
Kling, R. S.; J. V. Mallory, P. S.; S. L. Winters, Treasurer. The 
Lodge has about forty members. Meetings are held in Odd Fel- 
lows' Hall Wednesday evenings of each week. The Lodge is in 
excellent working condition, and its membership is of as equally 
excellent a standard. 

The Masonic fraternity is as well represented by men of stand- 
ing and thorough-going qualities. Charter Oak Lodge, No. 401, 
A. F. & A. M., was instituted in 1880. Its charter members were: 
R. Yeislev, H. C. Harshbarger, F. J. Porter. J. R. Burkholder, C. 
D. Stevens, W. H. DeCou, Lvsander Crane, P. A. DeCou, R. 
Jacobson, L. D. Butler, L A. DeCou, J. S. Hall, G. Smith Stanton. 
First officers: Reuben Yeisley, W. M.; H. C. Harshbarger, S. 
W.; F. J. Porter, J. W.; G. Smith Stanton, Secretary. C. D. 
Stevens, Treasurer. Present Officers: Reuben Yeislev, W. M.; 
F. J. Porter, S. W.; H. H. Rathbun, .J. W.; H. C. Harshbarger, 
Secretary; C. D. Stevens, Treasurer; J. R. Burkholder, S. D.; C. 
W. Mendenhall, J. D.; N. E. Cowles, Tyler. The membership is 
twenty-five. Meetings are held Saturday evenings on or before the 
foil moon. 

Woodbine has a circulating library of about 800 volumes. This 
library is owned and conducted by Geo. Musgrave, proprietor of 
the Tiriner, at his office. 

There are three church buildings, the Presbyterian. Methodist, 
Episcopal and Baptist. The religious interests of Woodbine are 
zealously cared for. 

There is every advantage offered in an educational way. The 
school building is a handsome and roomv structure of four depart- 
ments. C. C. Matter is the principal; Miss Hester Hillas teaches 
the Intermediate Department; Miss Etta Boies, the Second Prim- 
ary; Miss Harriet Elkins, the First Primary. One hundred and 
fifty pupils are enrolled. The building was built in 1880, is of 
brick, two stories in hight, and cost about $5,000. 



298 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

MODALE. 

The location of this place is on the Sioux City & Pacific Rail- 
way, sixty-five miles south of Sioux City, and a li tie less than 
thirty-two miles north of Council Bluffs. Modale contains about 
200 inhabitants, most of whom are native Americans. The village 
is not incorporated. 

Modale was laid otf by Benjamin Martin in 1872, under the 
the name of Martinsville, which is still the legal name of the 
place, ill all deeds of town property it being thus designated. The 
name Modale, however, is the older name, and seems to be prefer- 
red by the citizens. The name had a somewhat singular origin. 
In the year 1858, the few settlers then living in the vicinity w^ere 
desirous of securing a postoffice, and a petition was drawn up and 
sent to Washington asking that one be established. T. A. Den- 
nis, who forwarded the document, also sent recommendations as 
to name and location. The name suggested was "Missouri Dale;" 
but the writing being somewhat illegible and the word "Missouii" 
being abbreviated to "Mo.." the postoffice authorities could make 
nothing of it but "Modale" and with that name the papers were 
filled out. This postoffice was located two miles and a half north- 
west of the present town. The postmaster was Stephen Hester. 
The office was shifted according to population several times before 
it reached its present location. The last move was in 1873. C. J. 
Cutler, the present postmaster, the oldest living settler on the 
town-site was the first postmaster. The name Modale was further 
fixed by the building of an addition called "Modale addition" after 
the town was platted, and by the railway company's giving the 
station the name of Modale. 

At the time of the building of the railway through here, in the 
fall of 1868, the intention of the company was to make no regular 
station, but simply a station. This idea was carried out, and it 
was a number of years after before any but flagged trains stopped 
at Modale. But in course of time, as population and products in- 
creased, a station was found necessary and one was made, the en- 
terprise of Mr. Martin and others providing the town site. The 
original plat, as laid out by Mr. Martni, contained but ten acres, 
but a year afterward thirty acres more were platted by that gen- 
tleman. About the same time Alonzo Beebe platted the Modale 
addition of six acres, which made the total number of acres in 
the town site forty-six. No more additions have been made since. 

Tiie oldest building on the town site is the old school house, 
which though still standing, is deserted and dilapidated. This 
building, size 26x30 feet, was the second school house in the dis- 
trict, and was erected in 1866. The first building erected after the 
town site was platted was the residence of A. M. Snyder, which 
was erected in 1874, and in which Mr. Snyder still lives. A num- 
ber of other small residences were erected shortly afterward. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 299 

Among the early settlers of Module are C. J. Cutler, before 
mentioned; 13. F, Martin, son of the founder of the town, and A. 
M. Snyder, also previously mentioned. These all came about the 
time the town was platted. There were others, some of whom are 
dead, who were also early settlers of the immediate vicinity. 
Amono- the extreme old settlers of the vicinity, though not a resi- 
dent of the town proper, is J. J. Anderson. He, however, is sepa- 
rated from the town by but a narrow lane. His house had been 
built for many years prior to the platting of the town. Mr. An- 
derson came to the township some time in the early '50's. Other 
old settlers in the township are Joseph Haskins and Joseph Bross, 
who both came to Taylor Township nearly thirty years ago. The 
priority of settlement was not ascertained. 

The business of Modale, though not varied, is large in propor- 
tion to its population, and is constantly improving. The exports 
consist principally of corn, hogs, cattle and wood. The latter, 
regarding which no exact figures could be obtained, is shipped 
across the river into Nebraska. Modale has a large corn-cribbing 
capacity — at least 100,000 bushels, but double that amount of this 
cereal was shipped during 18 ■^1. Besides, a large quantity was 
purchased for home consumption. The shipments of cattle and 
hogs amounted to several hundred car loads of each, but as the 
cars in which the animals were shipped were sometimes partially 
filled at towns above before reaching Modale, it is not possible to 
give the exact number. 

The situation of Modale is a beautiful one, and it was high 
enough to escape the heavy overflow of the Missouri in 1881. 
There is heavy timber near the town, and a number of citizens 
find profitable employment in clearing it. The people, like most 
of the people on the valley, are wholesouled and generous, and the 
vicinity presents many advantages to jorospective settlers. The 
merchants carry stocks of goods far heavier than the town would 
at first sight seem to warrant, yet all seem to be thriving and do- 
ing good business. 

Modale is not yet incorporated, though the subject of incorpora- 
has received considerable attention. 

The business of Modale, classified, is as follows: Two general 
merchandise stores, grocery store, hardware store, furniture store, 
millinery store, drug store, saloon, two hotels, butcher shop, two 
blacksmith shops, carpenter and wagon shop, weigh scales, two 
stock dealers, lumber and agricultural implement dealer, wood 
yard, lumber yard, harness and shoe-maker, and livery stable. 
Two physicians comprise the practicing professional men of the 
place. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AXD SOCIETIES. 

With these Modale is but moderately well supplied — in fact, of 
secret societies she has none, though there are a number of members 
of various orders in the vicinity. She has no church building be- 



coo HISTORY OF IOWA. 

yond a Union church, built by a stock company at five dollars per 
share, aud in this the societies which exist in Module hold their servi- 
ces. It is open to all denominations. Tnis church was built in 1875 
and it is 28x46 feet in dimensions. The cost was §1,200. Below 
are given the church aud other societies of Modale: 

Methodist Church Societij. — This society was organized in ]S6G, 
by Rev. A. J. Andres, the society at that time containing but six 
or eight members. The first services were held in the school 
house. The society now numbers nearly fifty members, aud the 
services are held every other week in the Union Church. The 
pastor is Rev. H. J. Smith, of the Little Sioux Circuit. This church 
has a Sabbath School of sixty members, of w^hich W. W. Morton is 
the Superintendent. The school was established in 1876. 

Christian Church Society. — This society has had a number of 
ups and downs. It was first organized in 1861 by Rev. D. R. Dun 
can, Avith twelve or fifteen members; but since then it has several 
times fallen into a condition of decay, and has as many times been 
reorganized. It now has between thirty and forty members and 
seems to be in a flourishing condition. The services are held in 
the Union Church. The present pastor is Rev. D. G. Mullis. 

Modale Public School. — This school is not independent, but is 
the school of Sub-District No. 3, Taylor Township. As elsewhere 
announced, it was organized twenty y^ ars ago, when there <vere 
but four families in the district. The first sub-director W'as 
James Mackintosh. The growing demands of the community 
have caused larger buildings to be erected twice, and the present 
building is the third one erected by the Sub-District. The present 
building was erected in the summer of 1881. It is a two-story 
frame structure, 30x50 feet, and has two rooms, each of which 
constitutes a department. The higher department is taught by 
J. A,. Bradley, and the lower by Miss Clara Vauderhoof. There 
are 104 pupils in the Sub-District. Several unsuccessful moves 
have been made in the direction of rendering the Sub-District in- 
dependent. 

Modah Band of Hope. — This is an independent body, which 
was organized November 6th, 1881. Arrangements are now in 
progress to secure for it a charter from the State Band of Hope, 
thereby making it a subordinate band of that institution. The of- 
ficers are: J. A. Bradley, Superintendent; AV. W. Morton,, Assis- 
tant Superintendent; Eva Martin, Secretary; Bessie Silsby, Treas- 
urer; Eva Martin, Chorister; Pamelia Taylor, Organist. The band 
meets every Sunday at 3 p. m. There are seventy members. 

Modale Literary Society. — This society has just been organized 
with J. A. Bradley as President. Meetings are to be held weekly 
in the school-house. There are but a few members as yet. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 301 

DUNLAP. 

The settlement of Dunlap liegan in the summer of 1867, the 
prior settlement, which was virtually its beginning, however, be- 
ing the town of Oimsteacl, to which reference has been made 
hitherto. The Olmstead settlement was known as the Yankee 
settlement, as its founders and population — if the latter word is 
not too comprehensive for so small a town — were from New Eng- 
land. 

Of this Olmstead settlement it may besaid that Henry Olmstead, 
11. B. Lyman, Edward Brace, and Calvin Nay, came together in 
the autumn of 1855 from Connecticut; J, L. Roberts came in 
November of the same year. The same autumn witnessed the 
arrival of James Welch, who settled on what is known as the rfam. 
Ettinger farm, about thirteen miles south of Dunlap. During the 
same autumn E. P. Brown bjilt a log house about one-half mile 
west of (ialland's Grove, in Harrison Township. A man named 
Riley, a native of Connecticut, came the same autumn in search of 
health. 

About the last of November, 1855, Olmstead, Riley and Roberts 
assembled on the townsite of Olmstead, and voted a township 
organization. Olmstead was Chairman of the meeting, Riley was 
the Clerk, anl Roberts sustained the important role of "voter." 
Both Riley and Olmstead are now dead. Riley died in Connecticut; 
Olmstead was killed by a runaway team. The latter was the first 
County Supervisor for Harrison Township, L. Kellogg, the next, 
and was succeeded by Roberts, whose term of office included the 
year during which the settlement of Dunlap was begun. 

Like the ''paper towns" in Iowa and elsewhere, Olmstead was 
not doomed to anything but a transitory existence. The establish- 
ment of the line of the C. & N. W. Railroad elsewhere than had 
been expected terminated the existence of a number of towns, and 
Olmstead was among the number. 

Dunlap is located on section 3, township 81, range 41, and was 
platted by the Cedar Rapids Land Company in 1807. The town 
was incorporated in the spring of 1871. Its first officers were: L. 
G.Tubbs, Mayor; Frank Griffin, Recorder; S. M. Williams, W. C. 
Chapman, B. F. Carpenter, W. P. Webster, J. R. Wheeler, Trus- 
tees; Samuel Baird, Marshal; S. J, Patterson, Treasurer; William 
Magden, Solicitor; William Sears, Street Commissioner; H. W. 
Cotton, Assessor. 

The following are the present town officers: F. W. Olmstead, 
Mayor; D. T. Stubbs, Recorder; 0. P. Simmons, G. W. Chamber- 
lin, John Noonan, Charles Gager, G. P. Moorhead, E. R. Cadwell, 
Council; E. K. Burch, Solicitor; J. B. Patterson, Treasurer; W. 
Van Slyke, Marshal. Board of Education: S: J. Patterson, Pres- 
ident; R. R. Bahard, Secretary; J. A. Nay, M. Barrett, M. Rob- 
erts, H. W. Gleason, W. C. Chapman, J. Van Scoy. 



302 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

Dunlap Bank, a prosperous and substantial institution, was or- 
ganized in 1871, the tirm at first beino^ Clark, Kellogf? & Thomp- 
son, and afterwards Kellogg, Morehead & Thompson. The present 
firm are Kellogg, Morehead, Satterlee & Patterson, L. Kellogg is 
president, S. L. Amsden Cashier, David Stubbs Assistant Cashier. 
The bank building, a handsome brick structure, was erected in 1S79. 

The town was named by the Kailroad Company in honor of one 
of its officials. Its population, according to the census of 1880, is 
1,418; its present population is fully 1,500. 

Among the leading industries may be mentioned 1. Scholfield's 
flouring mill, which was erected in the summer of 1871. This 
mill is about five-eighths of a mile west of Dunlap, is 32x66 feet in 
dimensions, and three stori(^s high, has four run of stones, and a 
capacity of sixty barrels per day. This mill has all the machinery 
for making the patent flour; but is mainly employed in doing cus- 
tom work, a very large amount of which comes to it. Mr. Schol- 
field also owns a grain elevator at Deuison. 

His mill office and residence are connected by telephone. Mr. 
S. has a farm of three hundred acres connected with the mill, and 
is extensively engaged in hog raising. He is also the owner and 
editor of the Dunlap Reporter. This paper was started in 1871 by 
Geo. R. Braiuerd, who was succeeded by G. W. Thompson. Mr. 
Thompson ran the paper about two years, part of the time in con- 
nection with James Ainsworth. Thompson sold to L. F. Cook, 
who ran it until May, 1880, when Mr. Scholfield purchased a half- 
interest. In May, 1881, Mr. Scholfield purchased Cook's interest 
and assumed entire control. He has changed the paper from an 
eight-column folio to a five-column quarto, and gi'eatly enlarged 
its scope, paying very particular alt'^ntion to the wants of the 
farming community, as well as to those of the home circle and the 
fireside. In this undertaking he is meeting with success. L. 
Ballon is the local editor. 

There are three brickyards, of which James Van Scoy, Aaron 
Van Scoy, and Joseph Wood are proprietors. These yards fur- 
nish brick of the first quality at very low prices. 

The business of the town in general may be classified as follows: 
Hotels, 3; general merchandise, 4; groceries, 5; hardware and farm 
implements, 3; bakery, 1; drug and bookstores, 3; livery stables, 
2; clothing, 1; furniture. 2; jewelers, 2; wagon and blacksmith 
shops. 2; blacksmith, 2; harness, 2; boot and shoe store, 1; meat 
markets. 2; confectioners, 3; barber shops, 2; grain elevators, 2; 
lumber yards, 2, agricultural implements and machinery, 1; art 
gallery, 1; cigar factory, 1; billiard rooms, 2; attorneys, 5; physi- 
cians, 0. 

The Railway Eating House and Hotel, leased and conducted by 
Chapman & Castle, is liberally patronized by the traveling public. 
The building is large and roomy, and the accommodations excel- 
lent in every respect. 



« 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 303 

The postoffice of Dunlap was established in 1867, a Mr. Willard 
bein^ the first postmaster. He was succeeded by B. F. Carpenter, 
and he in turn by Dr. D. Satterlee. The office was made a money 
order office July 17th, 1872. Dr. Satterlee is the proprietor (in con- 
nection with his office) of a well conducted and arranged book and 
dru«j establishment. 

All in all. Dunlap is not only a thriving town, but, to the un- 
prejudiced observer, a town destined to grow steadily in import- 
ance. It iias, moreover, a substantial and beautiful appearance, 
situated as it is, on a " bench " overlooking the rich and fertile 
Boyer Valley, and equipped, as it is, with many handsome and sub- 
stantial buildings. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SCCIETIES. 

Tlie Baptist Clinrch Sorieti/. — Organized in August, 1872, by 
Rev. E. G. 0. Groat. F. W. Foster was the pastor in April, 1880, 
and was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Delano, the present pastor, in 
December, 1881. The church building was erected in 1878, and 
cost $1,800. The membership is twenty-five. Wm. H. Garrett is the 
Sabbath School Superintendent. Present officers: G. W. 
Chamberlin, J. N. Chapman, Deacons; J. M. Baber, Clerk; J.N. 
Chapman, W. H. Garrett, Col. Brown, Trustees. 

The Catholic Society of Dunlap. — First held services in 1871, un- 
der the charge of Rev. Father McMahon, of Council Bluffs. The 
building of the church was begun in 1872, and completed in 1878. 
The edifice is of brick and about 46 feet by 70 feet in dimensions. 
There is also a brick parsonage attached, which latter was inished 
in 1881. Rev. Father Lynch is the present pastor, and took 
charge of the society in 1876. There are between 200 and 300 
communicants. The parish includes Missouri Valley, Magnolia, 
Logan and Woodbine. The church was dedicated in 1880, and is 
called St. Patrick's Church. 

Congregational Society. — Rev. H. S. Mills is the present pastor 
of this flourishing society. Among the first members who par- 
ticipated in the organization are L. Kellogg and wife, Theodore 
Kellogg and wife, H. B. Lyman and wife, and J. L. Roberts and 
wife. A church building was erected in 1876, in which services 
are at present held. Previous to that time services were held for a 
number of years in an old building, on what is known as "Gospel 
Hill." The pi-esent church edifice was erected at an expense of 
$4,000. and is among the finest in tiie city. There is a parsonage 
near the church building. • The present membership is over 100. 
M. P. Brace is Superintendent of the Sabbath School, which has 
an attendance of 100 pupils. 

M. E. Church Society. — Rev. Fletcher Brown is the present 
pastor. The society was organized in 1869, and has now a mem- 
bership of about 10(\ The church edifice was erected at an ex- 



304 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

pense of .?5,000. Z. T. Dunham is President of the Board of 
Trustees, and M. S. Bowman, Secretary and Treasurer. R. N. 
Blair is Superintendent of tlie Sabbath School, which is in a flour- 
ishing condition, and has an attendance of 115 pupils. 

Duiilap Lodge, loira Logon of Honor, No. 117. — Meetings are 
held on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month. 
This Lodge was instituted in August, 1881, with fifteen charter 
members. Its first officers were Charles Reiher, President pro 
tem; Dr. A. H. Hazlette, V. P.; L. A. Sherman, T. S.; Dr. S. J. 
Patterson, Treasurer; L. Ballou. Secretary. Thfe present officers ere 
T. B. Beach, President; T. E. Miller, V. P.; the remaining officers 
same as above. The present membership is about twenty-five, 
and meetings are held in Odd Fellows Hall. 

Hospitable Lodge No. 244, A. F. and A. il/.^Instituted under 
dispensation in August, 1868. Charter members and first officers: 
Dr. D. Satterlee, W. M.; Daniel Smith, S. W.; A. N. Warren, J. 
W.— E. W. Davis, Charles M. Robins, Thomas Rue and C. H. 
Wing. Present officers: Dr. D. Satterlee, W. M.; J. A. May, S. 
W.; 0. Colburn, J. W.; A. D. Jones, Treasurer; W. J. Williams, 
Secretary; A. M. Warren. S. D.; I. Colborn, J. D. The present 
membership is about fifty. Meetings are held in Masonic Hall, 
Tuesday evenings on or before the full moon of each month. 

Golden Hide No. 178 J. 0. 0. i^.— Instituted Sept. 4th, 1869. 
Charter members: G. W. Thompson, W. W. Granville, P. Soules, 
E. W. Holbrook and Fred Kemp. First officers: G. W. Thompson, 
N. G.; P. Soules, V. G.: H. W. Colton, Secretary; W. W. Gran- 
ville, Treasurer. Present officers: J. H. Read, N. G.; P. W. Tyler, 
V. G.; W. T. Howard, R. S.; S. R. Lindsey, P. S.; Z. W. Pease, 
Treasurer. Membership eighty-five. Meetings are held in Odd 
Fellows Hall in Commercial block Thursday evenings of each 
week. 

The Band of Hope. — Organized in 1877. Present officers: Mrs. 
L. A. Nay, President; L. G. Tyler, Secretary; Miss Edith Pike, 
Treasurer; Miss Eva Waitley, Assistant Secretary. This organiza- 
tion is an anti-tobacco, profanity ana liquor association, and has a 
membership of about seventy-five. Meetings are held the first 
Tuesday evenings of each month. Entertainments are given 
weekly, and consist of music, speaking, etc. Every third Sunday 
in each month regular exercises are held. They are non-sectarion 
in their character, and are held Fridays in the Congregational 
Church alternating on Sunday between the M. E. and Baptist 
Churches. This Society is in a flourishing condition. 

Tlie Ladies' Christian Temperance Union, is also one of the 
effective means for the promotion of its object in Dunlap. 

The Young Peoples' Lihrarg Association. — This society was or- 
ganized in 1879 and began with five or six members. It has now 
about seventy members. The present afficers are: Frank Miers, 
President; Mrs. H. M. Mills, V. P.; Charles Strong. Secretary: 



1 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 305 

Clias. Waitley, Librarian. Tlie prayer room of the Congregational 
church is used for library pui-poses. There are already about 200 
well selected volumes in the library. The membership fee is fifty 
cents, with ten cents dues per niojith thereafter. No one can be- 
come a member of this organization but those between the ages of 
16 and 80 years. 

GuidiiK/ tifftr Encampment No. 68, 1. 0. 0. F. — Instituted Feb'y 
2Gth, 1874. Charter members: C. H. Tyler. G. W. Chamberlain, 
H. W. Colton, L. G. Tubbs, Hugh Ballard, Wm. Spendlove, A. K. 
Grow, R. B. HiUas, Z. W. Pease, G. W. Thompson. First officers: 
G. W. Thompson, C. P.; C. H. Tyler, H. P.; G. VV. Chamberlain, 
S. W.; A. K. Grow, J. W.; Wm. Spendlove, S.: Z. W. Pease, 
Treasurer. Present officers: VV. T. Hall. C. P.; Wm. Spendlove, 
H. P.: Samuel Ballard, Sec; L. R. Lindsey, J. W.; J. Reed, S.; 
Z. H. Pease, Treasurer. Membership, about fifty. Meetings are 
held in Odd Fellows' Hall on the second and fourth Mondays of 
each month. 

KnkjJitsof Pijthlas. — An order of this society is being organized 
with encouraging prospects for success. 

A. 0. //., Division No. 1, was organized in September 1880. 
Charter members: J. T. Noonpn, M. J. Duggan, Ed. Lehan, Will. 
H. Page, W. Cavanagh, Peter Wall, James Malone, John Doherty, 
Richard Doherty. First officers: M. J. Duggan, County Dele- 
gate; J. T. Noonan, President; John Doherty, V. P.; W. Cavan- 
agh, R. S.; W. H. Page, F. S.; Peter Wall, S. at A.; Thomas 
Noonan, Marshal. Present officers: S. T. Noonan, County Dele- 
gate; John Doherty, President; Jno. Brady, V.P,; W. Cavanagh, 
R. S.; Richard Doherty, F. S.; Michael Duggan, S. at A.; Thos. 
Noonan, Marshal. Membership, thirty-two. Meetings are held 
in Lahman's Hall on the first Sunday of each mouth. 

Dunlap Cornet Band. — Organized in 1879, and has 10 mem- 
bers. A. S. Read is President, Henry Holden Secretary, H. W. 
Gleason Treasurer and Leader. The organization is a highly cred- 
itable one. 

The Fire Department of the city was organized in the winter of 
1879 and 1880, and has a chemical engine. There are about thirty 
active members, composing a most effective organization. J. A. 
Phillips is Chief, and B. W. Philbrook, Foreman. 

ScJiools. — The first school taught was in 1857, by Louisa Cole, 
in an old building at the Olmstead settlement. There were but 
three pupils in attendance during the first term. The first school 
taught in the new Dunlap settlement was in 1868, in a building 
now occupied by J. L. Roberts as a residence. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. 
Ostrom were the teachers, Mrs. Ostromis still living, and is yet a 
resident of Dunlap. Harris McKenney, of Harris' Grove, was the 
next teacher, and he, in turn, was again succeeded by Mr. Ostrom, 
who conducted the school, which was a private one, for several 
years. The first public school was taught by Mr. McKenney in 



306 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

1868. The first school house was erected in 1870. It is a two 
story frame, and cost between ^2,000 and ^3,000. The present 
structure, an elegant and commodious brick building, was erected 
in 1880, at a cost of ^13,000. It has six departments, presided over 
by the following corps of teachers: I. A. Sabin, Principal; J. G. 
Thompson, Higher Intermediate; Miss Jennie Barrett, Interme- 
diate; Mrs. Sarah Kebler, Lower Intermediate; Miss K. M. Childs, 
First Primary; Miss Stella Bang, Second Primary. 

LITTLE SIOUX. 

This town, which has as handsome a location as any on the 
Missouri River bottom, or, in fact, in the State, is situated on the 
south side of the Little Sioux River, about one mile east of River 
Sioux and the Sioux City & Pacific Railway. Tlie town dates back 
to the year 1S55, when forty acres of the present site were laid off 
by S. W. Condit and T. B. Neeley. A short time afterward, 
Messrs. Condit and Martin laid off forty acres more. Another 
forty-acre tract Avas again platted in the year 1857. The parties 
making the last addition were Joseph Jenks and Jasper Bounly. 
D. M. Garnet, merchant of Little Sioux, now the oldest settler on 
the town site, — recorded the iirst plat. Mr. Gamst was at that 
time Treasurer and Recorder at Magnolia, then the county seat; 
but he shortly afterwards moved to Little Sioux, where he has 
since remained. Mr. Garnet established the first general mer- 
chandise store in Little Sioux in 1857. He was also engaged in 
the hotel business, his hotel being headquarters for the stages be- 
longing to the line between Sioux City and Council Bluffs. 
Although Mr. Gamet is at present the oldest settler on the town 
site proper, and settled in Western Iowa in 1816, there were others 
Avho made Little Sioux their place of residence prior to his advent. 
Among these latter may be mentioned the Messrs. S. W. Condit, 
T. B. Neeley, and Gabriel Cotton, the iirst and the last of whom 
are deceased, and J. L. Perkins, whose reputation is international 
in connection with the propagation of potatoes. Mr. Perkins, 
who was born a pioneer, came here in the year 1853. He resides 
at present but a few yards beyond the town limits. Moses Ger- 
man, now living outside the town limits, came in 1851. The S. 
W. Condit. before mentioned, came in 1819. Jasper Bonnlycame 
here in 1856, and still farms near town. Avery Barber, now of 
Nebraska, also came here about the same time. There are also 
other old settlers residing in the neighborhood who came but a 
short time subsecpiently. At the time Messrs. Condit, Neeley and 
€otton settled within the limits of what is now Little Sioux Town- 
ship, Harrison County, though named, was not organized. 

Though Little Sioux has been established for a long time, it 
made no mark d growth till within the jnist half-dozen years, and 
most of the buildings are of recent erection. Notwithstanding 



i 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 307 

this fact, it would be difficult to find a handsomer or more enter- 
prising^ town of the same size in any portion of Iowa. This in 
spite of the fact that throuoh a misapprehension in regard to mat- 
ters, the Sioux City & Pacific Railway left the town a mile distant 
from its trick, and makes it dependcuit upon tlie station of River 
Sioux for its transportation facilities. Nevertheless, the citizens 
of Little Sioux are hopeful of a direct east and west line's running 
through the town at no far distant day. In case this hope should 
be realized, the 400 population of Little Sioux will be doubled 
within a very short time thereafter. The citizens are enterprising 
in the abstract, and tliough they missed one chance in securing a rail- 
road, they have in everything else been up to the times. One 
mark of this trait of character is the erection of a large iron bridge 
across the Little Sioux River at this point. This bridge was built 
ten or twelve years ago at an expenditure of about three thousand 
five hundred dollars. The bridge is 200 feet in length and consists 
of three spans. 

The various business lines of Little Sioux, classified, are as fol- 
lows: Three general merchandise stores, two grocery stores^ jew- 
elry and miscellaneous store, grocery and stationery store, shoema- 
ker shop, drng and grocery store, drug store, barber shop, hotel, 
two restaurants, livery stable, boot and shoe store, two furniture 
stores, meat market, blacksmith shop, blacksmith and wagon shop, 
grain and stock dealer, lumber and hardware dealer, agricultural 
implements, warehouse, saw and grist mill and milliner shop. 

The professional men are two clergymen, one lawyer, and three 
physicians. The postoffice, which was established in the early his- 
tory of the place, is presided over by T. J. Lanyon. It is like that of 
River Sioux, not a money-order office. In addition to the branches 
of business already given, several insurance companies are repre- 
sented by local agents. 

The exact shipments of grain and other produce from this point, 
cannot well be definitely ascertained, but they are quite considera- 
ble, and are constantly increasing. 

The stocks of goods carried by the merchants of Little Sioux 
are quite large, and in several cases would be creditable to a town 
of 1,500 inhabitants. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. — This 
sect, monagamous Mormons, is in point of numbers, better repre- 
sented than any other church in Little Sioux, and many of the 
leading business men of the place are connected therewith. This 
congregation represents a section of that portion of the Mormon 
Church which separated from the original Mormon Society under 
the leadership of Brigham Young. Joseph Smith, Jr., son of the 
founder of the Mormon Churches, is at the head of the reorganized 
branch, which numbers some 15,000 adherents. The lieadquarters 



308 HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

of this branch are at Lamoni, Decatur county. The society has 
had an existence in Little bioux for twenty years, and the congre- 
gation at present numbers about 140. The society has a church 
which was erected in 1870, at a cost of several thousand dollars. 
The size of the structure is 24x50 feet. The presiding Elder for 
this branch is D. M. Garnet, who holds services every habbath. 

■Boman Catholic Church Society. — The Catholics of the neigh- 
borhood have hitherto been without either church building or 
church society, and have been compelled to go elsewhere to enjoy 
the benefits of their form of worship. Although still lacking a 
society, the Catholics of the neighborhood have just finished a 
church buildnng 26x40 feet in dimensions, and a society is in pro- 
cess of formation. The only Catholic service, as far as is known, 
ever held in Little Sioux proper, was on the Sunday preceding the 
opening of the church, January 29, 1882. This service was held 
in the house of M. Murray, and conducted by Rev. Father 
Michajl Lynch, who will preside over the new church in addition 
to the previous charges of Dunlap, Missouri Valley, and Magnolia. 
The congregation of the new church consists of about twenty fami- 
lies, or 100 people, and services will be held once in four weeks. 

Methodist Episcopal Church Societij. — The first sermon preach- 
ed in Harrison County under the auspices of this society, perhaps 
of any society, was in June, 1852, at Harris' Grove, by Rev. 
William Simpson; but the first sermon preached in the immediate 
vicinity of Little Sioux, was in 1865, by Rev. J. M. Rusk, who, 
when the county was divided into tw^o circuits in 1857, assumed 
charge of the Western Circuit, and continued as its pastor for two 
years. The first class formed in Little Sioux was in March, 1864, 
from which time the society began its growth. The first regular 
preacher, who officiated at Little Sioux, was Rev. J. W. Adair. 
The Little Sioux Circuit Avas detached from the Magnolia Circuit 
in 1876, and as it now stands it consists of Little Sioux, Soldier 
Valley, River Sioux and Mondaniin. The present pastor, who 
resides in Little Sioux, is Rev. H. J. Smith. The Little Sioux 
Society owns a building about thirty feet in dimensions. There 
are twenty-four members, and a good attendance of non-members. 
Services are held once in two weeks. 

Universalist Church Societij. — This society was organized in 
the latter part of 1870, by Rev. E. Vedder, of Dunlap. Mr. 
Vedder held the position of pastor but a short time, when he was 
forced to resign on account of ill-health. He was succeded by 
Rev. James Hoyt, of Belle Plaine, who continues to hold services 
once in four weeks. The society has no church buildings, and its 
meetings are held in the public hall. A movement has been in- 
augurated, however, for the erection of a church edifice. The 
membership is from thirty to thirty-five. 

Union Sabhatli .S'c/^oo/.— Although there is no denominational 
Sabbath School in Little Sioux, there w^as organized some time ago 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 300 

a Union Sabb.ith School with an attendance of thirty-five. R. C. 
West is the present Superintendent. 

Little Sioux Lodge. A. F.d- A. il/.-This bodv was organized in 1878 
with the foUowino-ofiicers: H. M. Huff, W. M.; P. li. Terry, S. 
W.; A. Gleason, J. W.; B. F. Croasdale, S.; S. J. Smith, Tr.; G. 
F. Straight, S. D.; E. A. Baldwin, J. D.; N. F. Hillard, T. 1 lie 
present officers are: N. F. Hillard, AV. M.; F. C. Scofield, S. W.; 
C. Ellis, J. W.; B. F. Croasdale. S.; S. J. Smith, Tr.; W. L. 
Woodward, S. 1).; Isaac Hunt, J. D.; T. J. Lanyon, T. 

Public ScJiool. — The public school of Little Sioux is a graded 
one, and comprises three departments, grammar, intermediate and 
primary. The Principal, Thomas Macfarlane, has charge of the 
first named department; the Intermediate is under the care of Miss 
Alice Smith, and Mrs. C. Donaldson is teacher of the Lower depart- 
ment. The school district is the Independent District of Little 
Sioux. It was organized from Township District No. 1, July 31st, 
1879. The first school officers for the district were Michael Mur- 
ray, President; L. S. G. Sillsbee, Secretary; A.M. Ellis, Treasurer. 
The ]irescnt officers are: Michael Murray, President; I. W. Bas- 
sett. Secretary; C. E. Cobb, Treasurer. There are 175 pupils in 
the district. The school house is a two-story structure,30x65 f eet, 
with four rooms, though but three of the rooms are in use. An- 
other teacher, however, is to be engaged the coming year. 

Little SioHx Home Literarij Society. — This society is devoted to 
intellectual and social improvement. It has been in existence but 
a short time, and as yet is not very firmly established. The soci- 
ety meets every other Friday, in the public hall. 

MISSOURI VALLEY. 

Missouri Valley, as do others of Harrison County's more im- 
portant towns, dates its beginning from the first appearance of the 
iron horse. The town is located at the junction of the Boyer 
Valley with the Missouri Valley in the southern part of Harrison 
county, at the base of the high bluffs on the north, and on the 
margin of the Boyer Valley on the south, extending some two 
miles, and of the Missouri bottoms on the west, some seven miles 
wide, to the Missouri river, thus giving a large and extended plain 
on the south, which, for beauty and fertility, is unsurpassed by 
any part of Iowa. The town was located by the Chicago & North- 
western R. R. Co. January 16th, 1868, an election was held to 
determine whether Missouri Valley should, or should not be in- 
corporated. This important question was this time decided in the 
negative by an adverse vote of 21. Missouri Valley is the junc- 
tion of the Chicago & Northwestern, Sioux City & Pacific, and the 
Nebraska Division of the Sioux City & Pacific railroads. The 
shops and general offices of the latter company are located here, 
anJi the officers of the company, who have their offices in this city 
are as follows: 



810 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

J. S. Wattles, Superintendent; C. F. McCoy, Assistant Super- 
intendent; J. E. Ainsworth. Chief Engineer; K. C. Morehouse, 
General Freight Agent; J. R. Buchanan, General Passenger Agent; 
P. E. Robinson, Assistant Passenger Agent; P. C. Hills, Traffic 
Auditor; A. T. Potter, Train Master; B. F. Hageman, Train 
Dispatcher; T. B. Seeley, Train Dispatcher; Chas. Foster, Master 
Mechanic; Wm, Wells," jr., General Agent; F. M. Marsh, Road- 
Master; P. W. Brown, Store Keeper. 

There are also located here the general repair shops, locomotive, 
car, paint and boiler shops of this road. The repair shops were 
started in 18G8, and now give employment to about one hundred 
men. The general office building was erected in 1878 and affords 
room for all the above named offices. It is two stories high and 
is 32 ft. by 68 ft. in dimensions. The Sioux City & Pacific and 
Chicago & Northwestern companies, have, in connection with each 
other a freight house 2-1: ft. by 60 ft. in dimensions. 

There is also an eating house, owned jointly by the two compa- 
nies, which is leased and operated by John F. Cheney & Co., of 
Sioux City. All the offices of the S. C. & P. are connected by tel- 
ephone and speaking tubes and furnished with elevators. 

The town takes its name from the fact that it is the point of inter- 
section of the Boyer and Missouri river valleys, the valleys of which 
at this point expand into a broad plain, several miles in width, and 
which comprises one of the finest agricultural districts in Western 
Iowa. It is one of the most important towns in Harrison county, 
and is provided with direct communication with Omaha and Coun- 
cil Bluifs on the west, Sioux City on the north, St. Louis iind Kan- 
sas City on the south, and with the east by the great railways termin- 
ating on the Missouri Iliver. The general character of the country 
surrounding this enterprising and progressive town is undulating 
or rolling, but not to so great a degree as to impair its utility for 
agricultural purposes. The soil is rich and fertile and produces an 
abundance of cereals. The raising of live stock is a very impor- 
tant feature of this township's industries. 

Missouri Valley claims a population of 2,000, but it is also said 
that the census of 1880 was inadequately taken, and that the pop- 
nlation given by that census 1,407, Avas much below the mark. 
The town, is located at the base of the blufi^s that skirt the valley 
of the Missouri River, from the summits of which a grand land- 
scape is presented to the view. The dark bluffs dwarfed by dis- 
tance that form the margin of the Nebraska shore can be seen for 
miles np and down, and compose a scene worthy of the contempla- 
tion of an artist's eye, and, with the added picture of the prosper- 
ous town in the distance, forms a spectacle, which, not only pleases 
the senses, but delights the practical eye. 

Missouri Valley was finally incorporated in 1869, and is located 
upon Section 15, Township 78, Range 41. The Chicago & North- 
western Railroad was built to the present site of the town in the 



HISTOKY OF IOWA, 311 

autumn of 1807, and the building of the town was commenced al- 
most ini,mediate]y afterwards, the town-site being platted by the 
railroad company during the winter of 18G7-8. Among the first 
settlers may be mentioned Henry Warner, and Smith & Cogswell, 
who opened a business establishment during that winter, W. (3. 
Ellis, who came during the spring of 180S and started a general 
merchandise store. 

The ohl town of St. Johns, two miles south of Missouri Valley 
on the other side of the Boyer river, was abandoned in consequence 
of the location of the latter place, and nearly all the residents of 
St. John removed to the new town that winter and the following 
spring, among them, John B. Lahman, who established a harness 
shop, Harris & McGavren, who established a hardware store and 
Ellis &Bro. who engaged in general merchandising. The American 
House, now the well known Commercial Hotel, was built in the 
spring and summer of 1868. The old town of St. Johns 
dates its .settlement from the year 1857, whtn the tow^n was 
laid out and platted by Ceo. H. Cotton. The company which 
planned the town was composed of Dr. McMahon, J. C. Purple, 
C. Vorhees, Dr. Kobt. McGavren, G. H, McGavren, John Deal 
and E. W. Bennett. There were several good business establish- 
ments, hotels, etc., and the town of St. Johns was prosperous up 
to the establishment of Missouri Valley. Dr. G. H. McGavren 
moved from St. Johns to the Valley in the summer of 18(39. By 
that time St. Johns was nearly deserted, and Missouri Valley, its 
successor, was just entering upon a vigorous and substantial 
growth. Shortly after Dr. McGavren's removal to the new tow^n, 
he opened a drug store. 

Several newspaper experiments have been essayed in the Vallev 
from time to time, with variable success, and ultimate failure, 
save in the case of the Missouri VaJ/e>j Times^ formely the Har- 
risonian, and founded by Judge D. M. Harris, who, with his son, 
Robert H., continues to publish this prosperous and excellent paper. 

The business houses of Missouri Valley, briefly classified, are as 
follows: 

Physicians, 3; newspaper office, 1; drug stores, 2; bakery, 1; 
harness and saddlery store, 2; boots and shoes, 2; tailors, 2; gro 'cr- 
ies, 5; hardware, 2; saloons, 5; cigar stores, 1; gun store, 1; gen- 
eral merchandise, 6; hotels, 3; barber shops, 2; livery barns, 3; bil- 
liard parlors, 1; furniture, 1; bank, 1; wagon factory, 1: carpenter 
shops, 3; grain offices, 2; attorneys, 3. 

CHURCHES^ SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Missouri Valley has five church societies and three church edi- 
fices. An alditional church edifice will be erected during the com- 
ing spring. These, with her excellent schools and other societies 
calculated to advance her interests, combine to make a commun- 
ity affording exceptional religious, intellectual and social advantages. 



312 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church building was erected in 1869. 
The membership is hirge and increasing, and the society in a con- 
dition of encouraging prosperity. These remarks apply equally to 
the other church organizations of the Valley. Rev. W. W. Car- 
hart is the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Society. The 
Presbyterian Society erected their building in 1868. Rev. 0. C. 
Weller is the pastor. Rev. Father Lynch is pastor of the Catholic 
Society, whose place of worship was erected in 1869. At the date 
of present writing, the Uaptist Society is not supplied by a regular 
pastor. This society, however, has suitable grounds already pur- 
chased, upon which an appropriate edifice will be erected during 
the approaching spring. Rev. Mr. Hoyt is in charge of the Uni- 
versalist Society, whose services are held in the Town Hall. C. 
W. Harris is Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school; 
W. H. Campbell, Superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday 
School. 

A short distance up the bluffs, overlooking the town, stands the 
Public School building, an imposing brick structure, in the 
modern style of architecture, provided with all the improvements 
which the later spirit of educational progress can suggest, and 
affording unusual advantages. This costly structure is, indeed, a 
gieat credit to the community, and is, in itself, a sufficient com- 
mentary upon the enlightened liberality of Missouri Valley's en- 
terprising citizens. The corner stone was laid, with appropriate 
public ceremonies, on the ITlh day of August, 1871. Nearly four 
hundred pupils are enrolled. There are six departments, the fol- 
lowing being the efficient corps of teachers: E. N. Coleman, 
Principal; Miss L. A. Ferguson, Assistant; W. R. Kirkham, 
Grammar School; Miss Annie Legan, Intermediate; Miss Hattie 
N. Legan, First Primary; Miss Estella Mattox, Second Primary. 
The members the Board of Education are: F. M. Marsh, A. 
Edgecomb, W. W. Hume, W. H. Rarasyer, Joseph Harker. D. 
M. Harris is President of the Board, F. M. Dance, Secretary, 
and M. Holbrook, Treasurer. 

Valley Lodge No. 232, A. F. & A. il/.— Instituted in 1868. 
First officers: Robert McGavren, W. M.; W. C. Ellis, S. W.; P. 
D. Mickel, J. W. The Lodge has about ninety members. Meet- 
ings were first held in the second story of Patch man's restaurant, 
and after several changes, the Lodge permanently located in the 
second story of Bump & Smith's brick building, corner of Fifth 
and Erie streets, in a handsomely furnished hall, which is also 
used as a place of meeting by the other lodges of the town. Val- 
ley Lodge is in a prosperous and flourishing condition, a statement 
which may as appropriately be made with reference to the other 
lodges of Missouri Valley. The following are the present officers: 
F. M. Dance, W. M.; C.' J. Carlisle, S. W.; G. H. Carleton, J. W.; 
Thomas Weston, S. D.; George Barnes, J. D.; C. S. Hoar, Secre- 
tary; J. H. Crowder, Treasurer. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 313 

Vullei/ Chapter No. 20, 0. E. S.~ Instituted July 8th, 1878. 
Charter members: Miiry E. Boies, M. M. Plarris, Annie Davis, 
EUa Davis, Carrie Todd, .Jennie Manchester, Mary M. Chapman, 
Belle Ransom, J. J. Legan, Louisa Miller, Laura A. Mann, Annie 
Schultz, Martha Pelan, Ettie Mickel, Mollie Mathews, Viola Pal- 
mer, Annie Janes, Hattie N. Legan, Lizzie Butler. First officers- 
E. J. Chapman, W. P.; Mary E. Boies, W. M.; C. C. Lahman, A. 
M. Present officers: Mrs. C. C. Lahman, W. M.; D. M. Harris. 
W. P.; Mrs. Carrie Todd, Treasurer; Mrs. D. Burgess, Secretary; 
Mrs. J. W. Axtell, W. A. M. The membership is forty-six. 

Triune Chapter No. 81, B. A. M. — This Chapter was organized 
under dispensation granted March 27th, 1876; its charter was 
granted October 4th, 1876. The petitioners for the charter were: 
William Pelan, H. P.; Robert McGavren. K.; E. J. Chapman, S.; 
C. W. Turton, Secretary; Theodore Mann, C. H.; T. W. Merritt 
P. S.; J. T. Sharp, R. A. C. 

Missouri VaUeij Lodge No. 170, I. 0. 0. F. — Instituted October 
21st, 1869. First officers: D. M. Harris, N. G.; \\'illiam Comp- 
ton, V. G.; T. E. Dubois, Secretary; James Laughery, Treasurer. 
Present officers: G. W. Burbank, N. G.; A. Edgecomb, V. G.; 
G. T. Hopkins, Secretary; D. M. Harris, P. S.; James Laughery, 
Treasurer. The membership is fifty-tAvo. 

Lilian Lodge No. 20, Daughters of Uehekah. — Instituted October 
20th, 1875. Charter members: Robert McGavren, J. K. McGav- 
ren, F. M. Dance, William Compton, John S. Goss, James Laugh- 
ery, James Ferrill, Reuben Palmer, D. M. Harris, G. W. McGav- 
ren, A. M. Cross, E. A. Boies, E. R. McGavren, Mary E. Boies, 
Martha Compton, Mary S. Goss, Rhoda Ferrill, Lizzie Laughery, 
Martha M. Harris, Ellen Cross. Present officers: G. W] Bur- 
bank, N. G.; Mary E. Boies, V. G.; G. T. Hopkins, Secretary: 
Mrs. William Compton, Treasurer. 

Anchor Lodge No. 66. K: of P. — Instituted December 19th, 
1881, by A. E.'Menuez, D. D. G. C. Charter members: D. J. 
Adlum, M. I. Bailey, F. Carlisle, W. M. Carlisle, T. 0. Carlisle, 
E. N. Coleman, E. C. Connors, ^N . W. Cook, N. S. Dahl, F. Dod- 
son, W. H. Fensler, 0. B. Fredericks, W. M. Harmon, G. F. Hop- 
kins, F. Johnson, A. S.B. King, C. W. McGavren, Neil McLeod. 
J. E. Marsh, T. P. Oden, AV. R. O'Neal, W. H. Ramsyer, W. H. 
Ransom. L. Shauble, H. N. Warren. First and present officers: 
C. W. McGavren, P. C; L. Shauble, C. C; A. S. B. King, V. C; 
G. T. Hopkins, P.; J. £. Marsh, K. of R. & S.; E. N. Coleman, M. 
of F.; W. H. Ramsver, M. of E.; H. N. Warren, M. at A.; N. S. 
Dahl, I. G.; T. B. Oden, 0. G. W. R. O'Neal, T. 0. Carlisle and 
W. M. Harmon are Trustees. 

Missouri VaJley Lodge, No. 175, I. 0. G. T. — Instituted in 
1869. This Lodge has had a somewhat varied existence, having 
been re-organized at several different times. There are at present 
about fifty members. Meetings are held in the Town Hall. The 

21 



314 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

present officers are: Mrs. Annie Schultz, W. C. T.; Miss Jennie 
Gump. R. H.S.; Miss Emma E. Harris, L. H. S.; Miss Estella 
Mattox, W . V. T.; Clias. B. Wilson, li. S.; C. S. Hoar, F. S.: Miss 
L. A. Ferguson, W. T.; Miss Donna Goltry, W. C; Harry 
Stonesifer, W. M.; Miss Tennie Harris, W. D. M.; John Kane, W. 
I. G.; Wid Lucas. W. 0. G.; Miss Kittie E. Clark, Organist. 

^'Vomen's Christian Temperance Union. — Organized in 1880, 
Present officers: Mrs. S. C. Hileman, President; Mrs. E, J, 
Ferguson, Mrs. H. C. Warner, Mrs. S. L. Berkley, Mrs. S. A, 
Rogers, Mrs. D, Fenner, Vice-Presidents; Mrs. G. E. Wilson, 
Treasurer; Mrs. E. A. Livingston, Secretary. 

PuhJ/c Library. — The Missouri Valley Public Library Associa- 
tion was organized in September, 1881, and has established already 
a library of about one thousand volumes, which number is con- 
stantly increasing. The library is located on the corner of Erie 
and Sixth streets. Mrs. Anna Schultz is the President; Mrs. C, 
H. Foster, Treasurer; D. M. Harris and M. Holbrook, Finance 
Committee. 

Building and Loan Association. — The Missouri Valley Build- 
ing and Loan Association was oi'ganized in October, 1880. About 
§5,000 of capital was loaned the first year. D. M. Harris, is Presi- 
dent: G. H. Carleton, Vice President; W. H. Bradley, Secretary; 
M. Holbrook, Treasurer. 

Harrison Counti/ Agricultural Society. — Organized in 1858, and 
held their twenty-third annual fair at Missouri Valley, October 
4th, 5th, and 0th, 1881. The present officers of the Society are: 
Phineas Cadwell, President; H. B. Cox, Vice President; J. K. 
McGavren, Secretary; F. M. Dance, Treasurer. The fair grounds 
are located about one-half mile west of town, and contain forty 
acres finely set out in growing trees. There is a good one-mile 
track and substantial buildings have been erected; the grounds are 
fenced in, and advantageously situated, with reference to stock and 
other shipments, immediately on the line of the railroads, and also 
upon the bank of Willow Creek, thus insuring a good water sup- 
ply. Six thousand pepole are estimated to have visited the fair of 
1881 in a single day. 

LOGAN. 

The county seat of Harrison County, is in every respect creditable 
to the popular will which elected it to that position of official dis- 
tinction and importance . Loga^ is located on the east bank of 
the Boyer River, and occupies about one hundred and sixty acres 
of land on a " bench,'' about seventy-five feet above the bed of the 
Boyer. After leaving the "bench," the elevated land is timbered 
for from one-quarter to one-half a mile, and gradually opens to a 
section of prairie country of beautiful aspect, and dotted with im- 
prove*^! and well cultivated farms . There is also a good and well 
improved section of farming country to the east. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 315 

The town, as did Missofiri Valle}', Woodbine and Dunlap, grew 
out of the h^cation of the line of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, and began its existence in the summer of 1807. It is 
located on section 19, township 79, range 42, and section 24, town- 
ship 79, range 43. The Court House is uj)on, or very nearly upon, 
the division line of these two ranges . 

A word here is in order as to the original town proprietor, 
Henry Reel, or "Uncle Henry Reel," as he is termed by his fellow 
townsmen. Mr. Reel was born in Montgomery County, Va., in 
1808 . Although stricken in years, he still retains considerable vital- 
ity, and is mentally as keen as in his younger days. From Vir- 
ginia he moved to Ohio, and about the year 1S24, he again moved 
to Putnam County, Indiana, where for forty years he resided. In 
1853, he came to Harrison County, to where Logan now stands. 
At one time he had more than 1,040 acres of land in a body, in 
and around the present town-site of Logan . The coming of the 
railroad was what caused the location of Logan . It was the only 
available station between Missouri Valley and Woodbine, and al- 
though Mr. Reel was at first opposed to the location of a town 
upon his premises, he finally yielded to the march of events, and, 
with an engineer in the employ of the railroad company, laid out 
the future county seat. Subsequently a company bought an ad- 
dition, and laid out the remainder of the town. The members of 

this company were: T. M. C.Logan, P. J. Rudasill, Mc- 

Curley, A. L. Harvey aud G. S. Bacon. John Reed and Cutler 
Williamson are largely interested in town property. 

Among the earliest settlers were: Judge Davis, George White, 

C. C. Cole, P. J. Rudasill. and A. W. Clyde, who came in 1867. 
There were others, whose names the writer did not obtain. 

C. C. Cole established the first dr}^ goods store, and was followed 
next in the mercantile business by P. J. Rudasill. George White 
built the first hotel. G. F. Waterman established the first drug store. 

Logan was incorporated in 1876. The first town officers were: 
John V. Evans, Mayor and Treasurer; E. R. Cadwell, Recorder; 
George Musgrave, Marshal; J. A. Lusk, N. Palmer, Simon Mills, 
A. J. Norman, Lewis Walters, Councilmen. The present officers 
of Logan are: William Cadwell, Mayor; D. M. Hardy, Recorder; 

D. Kerkendall, Marshal; G. B. Seekel, J. W. Stocker, George 
Guilford, J. W. Reed, G. B. Cadwell, Fred. Kimpel, Councilmen. 

The Logan Postoffice was established in December, 1867. John 
Reel was the first Postmaster. He was succeeded by C. C. Cole. 
William Giddings, the present Postmaster, was appointed May 
12th, 1875. The office was made a money-order office July 1st, 1877. 

Tlie Huron Coiinti/ Flaq, the first paper published iii Harr'son 
County, was published at Calhoun, Isaac Parrish being the editor 
— in 1858. Within less than a year it was taken to Magnolia, and 
Capt. William M. Hill became the editor. The Flafj was subse- 
quently removed to Missouri. 



316 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

The Magnolia Repiihlican was startefl in 1858, Geo. R. Brai- 
narcl being the editor and proprietor. Brainard was succeeded by 
Henry Ford, and the latter by W. F. Benjamin. The RejmJAican 
Avas continued until 1865, when it was changed to the Western 
Star by Hon. Joe *H. Smith. The Star continued until 1871, the 
various editors being Hon. Joe. H. Smith, H. C. Cutler, Musgrave 
k Cook, G. F. Waterman, George Musgrave. The paper was then 
removed to Logan, where it Avas published for more than two 
years, when it was moved to Harlan. 

The Huron Countij Courier Avas moved to Magnolia in 1875, 
from Canton, HI., by Alpheus Davison, aud from Magnolia to Lo- 
gan in 1876. In August, 1880, Henry Reel purchased the Courier. 
A. J. Hard was the editor and manager for one year, when D. S. 
P. Michael succeeded him. Mr. Michael is both manager and 
editor, Mr. Reel still being the proprietor. The Courier is a hand- 
somely printed eight-column folio, and well deserves the favor 
which is bestowed upon it by tae public. 

One of the valuable features of Logan is the stone quarry be- 
longing to Mr. James McCoid, and located just across the Boyer 
River from town . This quarry was discovered about nine years 
ago. The upper stratum is about nine feet and eight inches be- 
low the surface. The stone is limestone, and is of excellent 
quality for building purposes. Beneath this are eighteen inches 
of yellow clay; then eighteen inches of black slate. Under that 
is large, blue rock, eighteen inches in thickness, which has been 
used as material for foundations, but Avhich, however, Mr. McCoid 
states, is not durable. Beneath this are eighteen inches of yellow 
clay, under which there is layer after layer of a rock which very 
closely resembles granite, and is from six to eighteen inches thick. 
Numerous shipments of rock are made from this quarry to other 
points . It is stated to be the only paying quarry in Harrison 
county. 

There is a public square of from three to four acres, planted in 
trees, and located between Fourth and Fifth Avenues and Sixth 
and Seventh streets . 

A Driving Park Association is about to be organized, the grounds 
to be located on the farm of A . Why te, adjoining town. 

J. A. Lusk built a portion of the Lusk House in 1869. Addi- 
tions have been made, until now it is one of the most commodious, 
as well best managed hotels in Western Iowa. 

The town is well supplied with lawyers and physicians, has two 
banks — the Harrison County Bank and P . Cadwell & Go's . —a 
flouring mill, two hotels, and quite a number of first-class business 
establishments. 

Brick-making is carried on quite extensively at Logan . Large 
shipments are made to other points, the brick being of the best 
quality. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 317 

The population of Logan is perhaps about 1,000, and is steadily 
increasing. The town has a durable appearance, is neat and at- 
tractive, and is keeping in every respect even pace with the rapid 
strides that are being made by her sister towns of Western Iowa. 

CHUJRCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Logan Baptist Church Societif. — Organized in 1868, by llev. 
Oeorge Scott, of New York, at that time living at Denison. The 
pastors in order have been: Kev. George Scott, J. E. Rockwood, 
E. G. 0. Groat, B. F. Goldsby, J. E. Rockwood, Geo. Scott, J. E. 
Saunders, E. G. 0. Groat, which latter is the present pastor. The 
membership is seventy-five. The church building was erected in 
1869 at a cost of about S2,000, and has a seating capacity of two 
hundred. The parsonage was erected in 1876. There is a good 
Sabbath school, with about fifty pupils. J. E. Massy is the Super- 
intendent. From this church soil other similar societies have 
grown. This was the first Baptist Society organized in Harrison 
County, holding meetings at Magnolia, Woodbine and Logan al- 
ternately. Meetings at Logan were iirst held over Rudasill, Wood 
& Low's store. P. J. Rudasill was a prime mover in the organi- 
zation of the Baptist Society, and was indefatigable in promoting 
its interests. Rev. Mr. Groat has charge of the society at Magno- 
lia, which has sixteen members. 

First Preshyterian Sociefij. — Organized August 29th, 1809, by 
Rev. George K. Carroll, of Council Bluffs, Syuodical Missionary. 
The first pastor was Rev. T. K. Hedges, who was succeeded by Rev. 
J. B. Welty. Rev. Carroll is the present pastor. The erection of 
the church building was begun in the autumn of 1877, and the 
building was completed in the summer of 1878, at a total cost of 
$4,000. It will seat three hundred people, and is a very handsome 
structure. Rev. T. H. Cleland, of Council Bluffs, preached the 
dedicatory sermon, and was assisted by Rev. T. K. Hedges. The 
membership is about seventy. There is also a Sabbath School with 
an attendance of seventy. C. N. Cadwell is the Superintendent. 

There is a Universalist Society presided over by Rev. J. M. 
Hoyt, of Belle Plaine. Services are held once in every two weeks 
in the church building owned by Henry Reel's. 

The Adventists also have a society, the particulars concerning 
which are at this writing inaccessible. 

Henry Reel erected a church building in 1878, in which services 
are held by the Old Regular — or as this sect is commonly known, 
the ''Hardshell'' — Baptists. Services are held regularly once a 
month. There is no regular pastor and no organized society. 

The members of the Board of Education are: John V. Evans, 
G. B. Seekel, President; J. W. Barnhart, D. S. P. Michad, James 
Sorrey, A. K. Grow. George W. Wilson is the Secretary, and J. 
W. Reed, Treasurer. The school building, which was erected sev- 
eral years ago, is a very handsome and costly brick structure, and 



318 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

contains five departments. Prof. S. G. Rogers is the Principal; 
Sarah Gallagher. Grammar Department; Belle Wood, Intermedi- 
ate; Clara Hedges, First Primary; Clara M. Evans, Second Prim- 
ary. The enrollment is about three hundred pupils, 

Boi/er Valley Lodge No. 149, A. 0. U. TT.— Instituted Janu- 
ary Sist, 1878. Charter members: John V. Evans, A. L. Har- 
vey, J. B. McArthur, Fred. Kimpel, C. N. Hull, E. R. Cadwell, 
John H. Smith, C. L. Hyde, J. N. Young, S. I. King, W. W. 
Smith, A. J. Miller, E. P. Cadwell, W. H. Moore. First officers: 
Jno. V.Evans, P. M. W.; C. N. Hull, M. W.; Fred. Kimpel, 
Foreman; E. R. Cadwell, Overseer; J. B. McArthur, Recorder; C. 
L. Hyde, Financier; A. L. Harvey, Receiver; J. N. Young, 
Guide; John H. Smith, I. W. ; E. R. Cadwell, 0. W. ; John V. 
Evans, J. W. Rudd, E. R. Cadwell. Trustees. Present officers: 
R. G. Brown, P. M. W.; D. Stewart, M. W.; James Ervin, 
Foreman; William Burnett, Overseer; George Kelly, Recorder; 
Fred. Kimpel. Financier; D. M. Harvev, Receiver: C. L. Hyde, 
Guide; J. B. McArthur, I. W. ; John V. Evans, 0. W. J. B. 
McArthur is Representative to the Grand Codge for 1882; John 
V. Evans, D. D. G. M. W. for the Fourth Judicial District of 
Iowa, and has held the office ever since the organization of the 
Lodge. The Lodge's condition is a prosperous one. It Avas the 
first Lodge of A. 0. U. W. organized in the Fourth Judicial Dis- 
trict of Iowa. Meetings are held every Tuesda}^ evening in Odd 
Fellows' Hall. 

Logan Lodge No. 219, I. 0. G. T. — Instituted November 
14th, 1877, with thirty-five charter members. First Officers: 
Frank Rugg, W. C. T.: Mary E. Wilson, W. V. T.; Belle Cleven- 
ger, C; J. H. Giddings, S.; Adelia Fuller, A. S.; L. Harrington, F. S.; 
James Harrington, Treasurer; A. B. Rogers, W. M.; James Cope- 
land, D. M.; Nancy M. Wilson, I. G.; 0. J. McKenney, 0. G.; 
Wells R. Wheeler, R.H. S.; Lottie Noyes, L. H. S.; Isaac P. Hill, 
P.W. C. T. Present officers: Frank Stearns, W. C. T.; Mrs. 
K. Berry, W. V. T.; Lottie Cadwell, S.; Ben Wade Stearns. A. S.; 
C. A. Harvey, F. S. ; Myra Grow. W. T. ; Mrs. W. C Cadwell, 
W. C.;F. H. Laporte, W. M.; Fannie Barnhart, I. G.; Willis 
Clevenger, . G . ; W . C . Cadwell, P . W . C . T. ; Tillie Grow, Lodge 
Deputy- The membership is about fifty. Meetings are held 
every Wednesday evening in the hall over Stockwell's grocery. 

There is also a Woman's Christian Temperance Union . 

Chrysolite Lodge, A. F. rf- A. M. — Working under dispensa- 
tion. Organized November 30th, 1881. Its officers are: 
Stephen King, W. M.; A. W. Ford, S. W.; A. L. Harvey, J. 
W.;J. W. Barnhart, Secretary; William Giddings, Treasurer; 
S. I. King,S.D.: J. V. Evans, J. D.; J. W. Stocker, S. S.; 
A. B. Milliman, J. S.; J. W. Stewart, Tyler. The member- 
ship is about twenty-five. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 319 

Locjan Lod;/e No. 355, I. 00. F. — Instituted in June, 1S76, 
Charter members: T. M. C Logan, J. C Millimau, Fred. 
Kimpel, J. N. Young, W. H. Eaton, J. E. Townsend. First 
officers: J. C Milliman, N. G.; Fred. Kimpel, V. G.; VV. H. 
Eaton, Secretary; T. M. C- Logan, Treasurer. Present officers: 
W. C. Cad well, N. G.; J. V. Evans, V. G.; C L. Hyde, Sec- 
retary; J. E. Massey, P. S.;T. J. Roberts, Treasurer. Mem- 
bership, twenty-two. 

Colnnihia EncauipDient Xo. 101, 1. 0. 0. F. — Instituted in 
1880. Charter members: T. M. C Logan, A. K. Grow, J. 
0. Milliman, Almor Stern, L. D. Parker, G. W. Smith, J. V. 
Evans, J.N. Yoimg, Fred. Kimpel, C L. Hyde. First officers: 
A. K. Grow, C. P.;T. M. C. Logan,H. P.; J. V. Evans, S. 
W.;J. C. Milliman, J. W. ; Almor Stern, Scribe; C. L. Hyde, 
Treasurer. Present officers: J. V. Evans, C. P. ; A. Stern, H. 
P . ; J . W . Barnhart, S . W. ; C . L . Hyde, J . W . ; W . C . Cad- 
well, Scribe: J. N. Young, Treasurer. Membership, about 
thirty . 

MISCELLANEOUS COUNTY DETAILS. 

There was a considerable settlement in 1855, which was largely 
added to in 1857, and still more largely in 1860. Amos Chase 
came in 1851, as did also S. W. Condit, both of whom are now 
deceased. These, with H. M. Huff and C. W. Oden, M-ere among 
the earliest settlers near Little Sioux. A pioneer settler in the 
same locality was also T. B. Neeley (the first representative to the 
State Legislature). Mr. Neely was a well-informed man of sterl- 
ing and peculiar qualities, and, it is said, walked to Iowa City, at 
that time the State Capitol, carrying his shoes slung over a staff 
upon his shoulder. 

Of Jacob Pate, who settled near Sandy Point, on the Missouri 
bottoms, on the western side, it is related that his particular char- 
acteristic was a steady determination to "keep ahead of the keers." 
He said he always had kept ahead of the cars, and he always 
meant to do so. But railroads finally came in upon Jacob from 
both the East and the West, and the old man had to succumb to 
the inevitable. He died a few years ago. 

In Harris Grove and vicinity there were the McKinneys (Michael 
and John). Michael died about the year 1860, and John in the 
winter of 1880, the latter at Logan. Both had large families and 
considerable property. William Dakan came to Harris Grove at a 
very early day. He settled first near St. Johns, and soon after- 
wards moved to Harris Grove, where he is still living. Pearson 
Vore came to Harris Grove in 1856, and has been a continuous res- 
ident of that locality ever since. He is now about 81 years of age, 
and has had the misfortune in the later years of his useful life to 
lose his sight. James B. McCurley came to Harris Grove about 
the year 1853, moved to Logan about the time the town was organ- 



320 .HISTORY OF IOWA. 

ized, and is still living tliere. Judge Dow and family, who came 
in 1853, moved subsequently from Harris Grove to about eight 
miles below Denison, to what is now called in honor of the Judge, 
Dow City. John Rogers, with his family, came to Harris Grove 
in 1856. His grandson. Prof. S. G. Rogers, is now Principal of 
the Logan Public Schools. J. T. Stern, a venerable and sagacious 
settler, whom it was the historian's misfortune to be unable to see, 
settled at Harris Grove in 1857. He has resided on the same farm 
from that date continuously to the present time, and is 67 years of 
age. Almor Stern, son of J. T. Stern, came to Logan in 1878, and 
was elected Auditor of Harrison County in that year, to fill the 
vacancy caused by the death of W. H. Eaton, who had been Aud- 
itor for eight years prior to that time, and who was the first per- 
son elected to that office in the county. 

There are thirty and thirty-three one-hundredths miles of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in Harrison County; thirty-two 
and forty-eight hundreths of the Sioux City & Pacific, and about 
one-half mile of the Milwaukee road in the southeast corner. The C. 
& N. W. came down the Boyer Valley in 186(3; the Sioux City & 
Pacific was built about the same time, and commenced running in 
1867. From that time forward there was a steady growth. The 
population at that time was 7,000; now it is nearly, if not quite 
20,000. The census of 1870 gave only about 8,000, the population 
having nearly tripled within the past ten years. 

Among the pioneers of Union Grove are: Samuel Wood, who 
came in about the year 1852, and has lived there ever since; Sam- 
uel Dibbles who first came about twenty-four years ago; Father 
Smith, now Postmaster of Union Grove, who came nearly twenty 
years ago; Jason Whitinger, William Cox, and the Smith family, 
who have lived there for twenty-five years. The Dobson family 
were also old settlers, but subsequently moved to Crawford County. 

A full list of the first county officers, with the exception of the 
Board of Supervisors, is as follows: D. M. Gamet, Recorder; .W. 
V. Cooper, Clerk of the Courts; Stephen King, County Judge; H. 
C. Harshbarger, Auditor (appointed in 1868); J. Z. Hunt, Surveyor; 
J. H. Smith, County Superintendent; C. M. Hamilton, Sheriff. 

The present county officers are; L P. Hill, Treasurer; A. K. 
Grow, Recorder; C. L. Hyde, Clerk of the Courts; Wiley Middle- 
ton, Sherifl^'; J. D. Hornby, County Superintendent; A. J. Miller, 
County Superintendent elect; Logan Crawford, Surveyor; Almor 
Stern, Auditor; J. K. McGavren, Thomas Morrow, Allen Stoker, 
Board of Supervisors. 

The settlement at Twelve-Mile Grove had for its pioneers 
Richard Musgrave, who came in 1852; the Meffords, in 1851. 
Robert Mefford was the head of the Mefford family. Matthew 
Hall and L. D. Butler are also old settlers. The latter now lives 
at Woodbine. 



HISTORY OF lOW.V. 321 

Col. Asher Service, a man of native force of character, and wlio 
was at one time a political power in the county, settled at Six-Mile 
Grove about the year 1850; Owen Thorp in 1852. James McCoid 
ran a store there twenty-two years ago. 

The well known Olmstead settlement in Harrison Township 
Avill be found to be treated of in that part of the county's history 
devoted more particularly to the town of Dunlap. By many, 
Harrison Township is considered the banner township of the 
county, in respect to the surface of the land, which is there more 
level. Mill Creek enters the Boyer in that township, giving it an 
exceptional ''lay of land.'" There is, indeed, a fine southern 
view from Dunlap down through that section of country. 

A grist mill was built on Allen's Creek west of Magnolia in 
1853 or '5i. It was never operated, but was afterwards moved 
away. The fii-st mill on the Willow Creek, about one mile east of 
Magnolia, was built in 1854 by a Mr. Chatburn. Jacob Huffman 
also built a mill on the Willow about two miles below Chatburn's. 
E. T. Hardin built a saw mill at Calhoun on the Willow, about 
two miles below the Huffman mill. The first flouring mill in the 
county was built by Henry Reel on the Boyer in sight of the 
present town of Logan — in July, 1855. This mill began opera- 
tions October 1st, 185G. The next mill was started at Wood- 
bine by L. D. Butler, and in 1858, Butler and Grow put up their 
flouring mill. All these pioneer mills were run by water power. 
A. K. Grow built a mill in 18()7 on section 31, in Harrison town- 
ship, about half-way between Woodbine and Dunlap. This mill 
was very rudely constructed, its exterior being anything but hand- 
some in appearance, but the excellent quality of its flour was un- 
doubted, and built up for its owner quite a reputation. This mill 
was subsequently washed away. 

The mills in the county now are: I. Schofield's flouring mill 
at Dunlap; Dalley & Noyes' mill at Woodbine; Alfred Longman's 
mill at Logan; a steam mill at Missouri Valley; also one at Magno- 
lia; one at Calhoun, at the place where Hardin put up his saw 
mill; one on the Soldier River, by Theodore Mahoney, and Scho- 
field's at Little Sioux. 

About six miles northwest of Logan, in Magnolia Township, is 
the town of Magnolia, on the southeast quarter of section 32, 
township 80, range 43. The count}^ seat of Harrison County was 
located at Magnolia by A. D. Jones and A. Fletcher, on the 14tli 
of March, 1853. G. H. White was the Surveyor. The report of 
the Commissioners and Surveyor was approved by P. G. Cooper, 
County Judge, December 13, 1853, his acknowledgment being 
taken before E. Todd, Justice of the Peace. The election which 
resulted in changing the county seat from Magnolia to Logan, 
was held in the autumn of 1875. The tussle for the prize was pe- 
culiarly interesting, protracted and exciting, but provoked so 



322 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

many animosities, that it would hardly be possible for the matter to 
be treated of at length here in what all would admit to be a strictly 
impartial manner. 

Lots were first sold in Magnolia in November, 1853. Ex-Judge 
P. G. Cooper is still living, in Blair, Nebraska. Among other 
early settlers of Magnolia township were Judges Hardy and Brain- 
ard. The removing of the county seat has had a depressing effect 
upon Magnolia, which has since that time, to sa}^ the least, failed 
to make encouraging headway. 

It will be noted that Harrison County, like many other Western 
communities, has had her full share of "paper towns." 

Upon the removal of the county records to Logan, the old Logan 
House was rented, in which to keep them. As an inducement to 
secure the county seat, the citizens of Logan contributed 86,000, 
depositing this sum in bank before the election. The election was 
carried, however, by a very small majority. The Court Hoiise was 
built in Logan in 1876, and cost about fill, 000. 

The following is a list of Representatives to the State Legisla- 
ture from Harrison County. The Representative for 1863 resided 
without the present limits of the county. The years of their elec- 
tion are given: 

T. B. Neely, 1855; D. M. Harris, 1857; W. W. Fuller, 1861; 

, 1863; L. R. Bolter, 1865; Jos. H. Smith, 1867: Stephea 

King, 1869; Geo. H. McGavren, 1871; P. Cadwell, 1873; L. R. 
Bolter, 1875: H. B. Lyman. 1877; Geo. Ritchison, 1879: L. R. 
Bolter, 1881. 



^ HARRISON COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES, 



MISSOURI VALLEY. 

S. Altshuler, dealer in dry goods and clothing, came to la. in 
1864, and located at Council Bluffs; established his present busi- 
ness in Missouri Valley in 1867. He has a fine store on the cor- 
ner of Fourth and Erie streets, and carries a large stock of goods. 

M. I. Bailey, attorne}^ at law, established business in 1875. He 
was born in Delaware county, N. Y., in 1847; removed to Missouri 
Valley, la., in 1875, and engaged in the practice of law. He 
married C. L. Ames, a native of N. Y. Mr. B. is the present 
mayor of this city. 

J. H. Ball, proprietor of billiard parlor — cor. 6th and Huron 
sts — is a native of Ind.; moved to Knoxville, Marion county, la., 
with parents in 1851. In 1862 he engaged in freighting in com- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 323 

J. T, Baldwin, foremtm of the boiler shops at Missouri Valley, 
was born in Md. He was employed in the navy yards at Wash- 
ington, D. C, until 1868, Avhen he moved to Omaha. Neb., and 
Avas in the employ of theU. P. R. R.; came to this city in 1870, 
and assumed his present position. 

pany with J. B. Beard, which he continued until 1805. He then 
traveled through the territories until he settled in Council Bluffs 
in 1869; moved to Missouri \\alley in 1878, and engaged in his 
present business. 

C. H. Barber, proprietor of the Palace billiard parlor, is a native 
of N. Y.; removed to Clinton, la., in 1878, and was in the em- 
ploy of the Union Iron Works: thence to Missouri Valley in 1879, 
and was in the employ of the railroad companies until 1881, Avhen he 
established his present business. 

J. M. Berry, proprietor of the city livery, is a native of Ind,; 
came with parents to Harrison county. la., in 1855, was engaged in 
farming until 1879, when he came to Missouri Valley and engaged 
in his present business. 

T, N. Berry, of the firm of Morgan & Berry, grocers, was born in 
Pottawattamie county, la., in 1855; moved with his parents to 
Harrison county in 1856. He located in Missouri Valley in 1879, 
and was engaged in the livery business until 1881, when he entered 
the above firm. 

J.L. Berkley, of the firm of Grigsby & Berkle}', dealers in gen- 
eral merchandise, is a native of Va. ; moved to Magnolia, Harrison 
county, la., in 1872; thence to Missouri Valley in 1876, and en- 
gaged in milling until Oct., 1881, when he engaged in his present 
business, with W. E. Grigsby, a w^ealth}^ farmer of Harrison 
county. 

E. A. Boies, dealer in general hardware, is a native of 0.: moved 
to Magnolia, Harrison county, la., in 1867. and to Missouri Valley 
in 1869 and was employed as salesman and journeyman tinner in 
the hardware business. He engaged in the business for himself in 
1877, sold out after two vears, and resumed business again in May, 
1881. 

Mrs. A. E. Bresee, dealer in millinery and fancy goods, located 
in Crawford county, la. in 1877, and moved to Missouri Valley in 
1879, and engaged in present business; carries a large and complete 
stock of goods, and does all branches of millinery work. 

W. H. Bradley, jr., of the firm of Walker & Bradley, dealers in 
general merchandise, is a native of Canada; came to the U. S. in 
1869, and located at Missouri Valley, la. He was employed as 
salesman in the mercantile business, until he entered his present 
business in 187S. 



324 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

L. Brown, attorney at law, was born in Jackson county, 0., in 
1845; removed to Appanoose county, la., where he lived until he 
moved to Missouri Valley. He is a graduate of the Iowa State 
University. He married Fanny G. Manning, a native of Iowa. 

W. P. Bump, of the firm of Bump & Smith, dealers in general 
merchandise, was born in Addison county, Vt., in 1811; moved to 
western N. Y. in 1831, and in 1^36 he engaged in the mercantile 
business; continued tliere until 1856, when he removed to Rochelle, 
111.; thence to Missouri Valley in 186*J, and engaged in his present 
business. 

D. Burgess, proprietor of billiard parlor, was born in Courtland 
county, N. Y. He was employed for several years as conductor on 
the S. B. & N. Y.Ry., also was telegraph operator for same road. 
He moved to Neb. in 1875, and engaged in the stock business; re- 
moved to Missouri Valley in 1877 and engaged in his present 
business, on the corner of Fifth and Erie sts. 

C. J., T. C. & W. M. Carlisle, of the firm of Carlisle Bros., 
wholesale and retail dealers in hardware, wagon stocks, pumps, 
agi'icultural implements, and sewing machines, are natives of 0.; 
came to Missouri Valley, la., in 1872, and engaged in their present 
business. 

W. M. Chenoweth, manufacturer of cigars, is a native of Pa.; 
came to Missouri Valley in 1879, and engaged in his present busi- 
ness. He employs five men in the busy season. 

J. C. Caley, dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Cleveland, 
Ohio. He enlisted in Co. I, 29th 0. Vol., served one year, and in 
the spring of 1863 Avent to Montana; returned to Ohio in 1864, 
and two years later came to Missouri Valley, and built the first 
building in the town, excepting a few R. R. buildings. He is the 
pioneer boot and shoe dealer of the city. 

Wm. Conner, engineer for the S. C. & P. transfer company, was 
born in Va. in 1842; moved to 111. in 1849, and in 1859 engaged 
in steamboating on the Mississippi river. In 1806 he w^ent to 
Quincy, 111., and took charge of the machine shops for two years; 
then came to Missouri Valley and was employed in his present posi- 
tion. He has been absent one year since coming to this city, 
traveling on the Pacific coast. 

Maj. J. F. Cheney, senior proprietor of the Merchants and Depot 
Hotels at Sioux City, la., also of a Hotel at Blair, Neb., and the 
Union Hotel at Missouri Valley, was born in Grafton county, N. 
H. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1st 111. Light Art. as a private, was 
soon promoted to first lieutenant, then to captain, then to major 
and when discharged at the close of the war was lieutenant colonel. 
He then opened the Nachusa house at Dixon, 111., also a summer 
resort at Spring Lake, Mich., called the Spring Lake house. He 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 325 

moved to Sioux City and opened the Merchants Hotel, iu 1880, 
and his other hotel soon after. Major C. is one of the oldest hotel 
men in the country, and all of his hotels will be found to be first 

class. 

G. W. Coit, M. D., was born in N. J., in 1837; was assistant 
surgeon durinoj the latter part of the war of the rebellion. He 
graduated from the Bellevue Hospital, M. Y. in March 1866, and 
came to Harrison county in Nov. of the same year, and located at 
St. Johns; the following February, removed to Missouri Valley. 
He has been government examining surgeon for Western Iowa 
ten years. 

J. H. Crowder, postmaster, also dealer in books, jewelry and fan- 
cy goods, is a native of Ind.; removed to Harrison county in 1866. 
He enlisted in the war of the rebellion, in the 18th la. Reg.; was 
a member of the band. He was appointed postmaster in 1871. 
which office he has since held. 

N. S. Dahl, jeweler, is a native of Denmark; came to America 
in 1873, and settled in Chicago. He engaged in the jewelry busi- 
ness in various parts of the west, until 1879, when he located in 
Missouri Valley and opened his present business. 

F. L. Davis, insurance agent, was born in Western N. Y. He 
enlisted in 1861 in Co. E, 5th N. Y. Cav., was discharged in 1862 
and returned to N. Y., and soon after was appointed deputy sheriff 
of Cattaraugus county. He came to Iowa in 1870 and located at 
River Sioux; in 1872 moved to Missouri Valley and engaged in 
the livery business; was also deputy sheriff for several years. In 
1878 he engaged in his present business. 

C. H. Davis, w^as born in Penobscot county, Me., in 1839; moved 
to Mass. in 1852 and Avent to sea as a cabin boy. At the breaking 
out of the war in 1861 he enlisted in the navy in Com. Farragut's 
fleet; was transferred to Com. Dahlgren's fleet in 1864. He left 
the navy at the close of the war and in 1866 moved to Council 
Bluffs, la., and was engaged as engineer on the Missouri river, un- 
til coming to Missouri Valley; is here employed by the S. C. & P. 
R. R. company. 

F. M. Dance, attorney at law, was born in Wis. in 1838; moved 
to Missouri Valley, la., in 1868 and engaged in general law and 
real estate business. He graduated from the law department of 
the Ann Arbor University, in 1867. 

C. H. Deur, lumber dealer, was born in N. Y.; moved with his 
parents in 1860 to Pottawattamie county, la.; thence to Missouri 
Valley in 1877 and engaged in his present business. He has al- 
ways a good supply of hard and soft coal, builders' supplies, lime, 
hair, cement, etc. 

M. S. Frick, of the firm of Frick & Snyder, dealers in general 
merchandise, is a native of Pa.; moved to la. in 1865 and to Harri- 



326 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

son county in 1868, was engaged in contracting and building, then 
dealing in furniture, previous to engaging in his present business 
in the spring of 1881. 

Geo. S. Green, of the firm of G. iS. Green & Co., proprietors of 
the Commercial House, is a native of N. Y.; moved to Vinton, la. 
in 1860; thence to Missouri Valley in 1875 and was engaged in vari- 
ous business houses, also in thepostoffice, until Nov.. 1881, when he 
purchased the hotel and engaged in his present business. 

L. Harker, dealer in stock, is one of the pioneers of Harrison 
county, la., came to this county in 1867 and located at St. Johns, 
and engaged in the grocery business. He moved to Missouri Val- 
ley the same year and continued the grocery business; is now bu}^- 
ing and selling stock. 

J, J. Hancock, tobacco dealer, was born in England in 1830; 
came to America in 1851, and located at London, Canada; removed 
to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1853, and engaged in the boot and shoe busi- 
ness. He removed to Dubuque^ la., in 1858; thence to Sioux Falls, 
Dak., in 1871, where he resumed the boot and shoe business. In 

1878 he was in the employ of the American Express Company. In 

1879 he located in Missouri Valley. 

Hon. D.M. Harris, senior member of the firm of Harris & Son, 
editors and proprietors of the Missouri Valley Times, was born in 
Dayton, Montgomery county, 0._, in 1821, and moved with parents 
to Ind. in 1821; thence to Maury county, Tenn, In 1851, became 
to Audubon county, la., and engaged in farming and the real 
estate business, and there served three terms as county judge. He 
represented the 26tli Iowa district during two sessions of the leg- 
islature. He next removed to Panora, Guthrie county, and en- 
gaged in the practice of law, also editing and publishing the 
Guthrie County Ledger. In 1868 he first came to Missouri Valley 
and established the Harrisonian, which he sold in 1872, the name 
of the paper being changed to the Missouri Valley Times. In the 
the same year he moved to Independence, Kas., and published the 
Kansas Democrat, returned to Missouri Valley in 1873, engaging 
in the mercantile business. His establishment was shortly after- 
wards destroyed by fire, and he located at Exira, which town he 
had previously '"laid out,'' and began the publication of the 
Audubon County Defender. Soon afterwards he published the 
Cap-Sheaf, at Atlantic, Cass county, which he conducted until 
1876, when he resumed the publication of the Times at Missouri 
Valley. He was married in 1842 to Martha M. White, of Tenn.; 
has six sons and four daughters. Mr. Harris was the democratic 
candidate for lieutenant governor of la., in 1866, and was twice a 
candidate for county representative from Harrison county. He 
has held a number of minor offices. Itobert H. Harris is a son of 
Judge Harris, and junior member of the firm. He was born in 
Tenn., in 1851, and in 1874 was married to Frances Chapman, of 
Exira, la. Thev have two sons. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 327 

E. F. James, dealer in agricultural implements, pumps, wind- 
mills, etc.. is a native of Pa., lived daring youth in 111.; moved to 
Missouri Valley, la., in 1868. He engaged in railroading, until 
1873, when he engaged in his present business; is also proprietor 
of the James line o£ drays and express wagons. 

J. B. Lucas, attorney at law. was born in Lucas county, la., in 
1858; removed to Missouri Valley in 1875. He was admitted to 
the bar in Harrison county, and established office in Oct., 1881. 

F. L. Mandevill, druggist, was born near Rochester, N. Y., in 
1835; moved to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1812; thence to Missouri 
Valley in 1871 and engaged in his present business; carries a com- 
plete stock in the drug line. 

Hon. G. H. McGavren, M. D., is a native of Pa.; came to Har- 
rison county in 1851 and first located at St. Johns; removed to 
Missouri Valley in 18G8. He was elected to the legislature in 1870, 
and is engaged in the practice of medicine with his son, Charles, 
who is a graduate of the Rush Medical College, at Chicago, III. 

S. H. Morgan, of the firm of Morgan & Berry, grocers, was born 
in Ind.; moved to Lucas county, Iowa, in 1859. He enlisted in 
1861, in Co. C, 13th la. Vol.; served until Sept., 1862; then returned 
to Lucas county and engaged in farming; removed to Harrison 
county in 18G1 and settled in St. Johns and engaged in the drug 
business; removed to Missouri in 1868, and came back to Harrison 
couaty in 1877 and located at Missouri Valley and engaged in his 
present business. 

Hans Newman was born in Sweden; came to America in 1870 
and was in the employ of the S. C. & P. Ry., at Sioux City, until 
1870 when he was appointed passenger conductor on the Nebraska 
division. 

W. H. Ramseyer, superintendent of the car shops at Missouri 
Valley, was born in N. Y. : moved to Neb. in 1867 and engaged in 
the furniture business, and in 1869 came to this city and was em- 
ployed b}^ the S. C. & P. R. R. company as pattern maker. He 
was appointed superintendent in 1871. 

A. H. Rockwell, contractor and builder, was born in Otsego 
county, N. Y.; moved to Missouri Valley. la., in May 1873. He 
has built most of the brick blocks and fine residences in the place. 

L. Shaubel, foreman of the S. C. & P. R. R. company's paint 
shop, at Missouri Valley, was born in Pa.; moved to Chicago, 111., 
in 1854 with parents, and was employed in the C. & N. W. R. R. 
paint shops, until, coming to this city in 1877 and accepting 
his present position. 

S. B. Shields, dealer in general merchandise, was born in N. J. 
He came west in 1870, settled in Missouri Valley in 1872, and 
engaged in his present business. 



32S HISTORY OF IOWA. 

S. B. Smith, proprietor o£ the City barber shop, is a native of 
Ark.; removed to Polk count}', la., in 1862 and to Harrison county 
in 1881, and established his present business at Missouri Valley. 

A. L. Tamisiea. harness maker and dealer, was born in Dubuque, 
la., in 1855; removed with parents in 1S5G to Harrison county, la. 
He came to Missouri Valley in 1875, and engaged in the confec- 
tionery business. He engaged in his present business in 1879. 

J. D. Tamisiea, dealer in groceries and provisions, is a native of 
N. Y.; moved to Dubuque, la., in 1853; thence to Harrison county 
in 1856; moved to Missouri Valley in 1877, and engaged in his 
present business. 

S. A. Teal, manager of the railroad machine shops, at Missouri 
Valley, la., was born in Albany county, N. Y., in 1831. He was 
for a time engaged in the iron business at Zanesville, 0.; moved 
to Chicago in 1853 and was employed as engineer for the C, B. & 
Q. R. R.; remained there four years; then came to Cass county, la.; 
thence to Council Bluffs, in 1861, and was engaged as manager of 
the iron works at that place; thence to this city in 1876 and en- 
gaged as manager of machine shops. 

C. Williams, of the firm of Williams & Blenkiron, proprietors of 
meat market, was born in England in 1855; came to America 
in 1861 and settled with his parents in Cherokee, la.; removed to 
Missouri Valley in 1876 and engaged in his present business. 

Horace N. AVarren, dentist, was born in Council Bluffs, la., 
Aug. 24th, 1858; he studied dentistry with Dr. H. N. Urnuy. 
He located permanently in Missouri Valley in 1880; makes profes- 
sional visits to Logan every two months, and three times a year at 
Little Sioux and Magnolia. Although comparatively a newcomer, 
he has by his careful and skillful practice, established a very lucra- 
tive business. 

LOGAN. 

B. C. Adams, of the firm of Adams Bros., stock raisers and deal- 
ers, (farms in Jeff'erson township, three miles north of Logan), was 
born in Asthabula county, 0.; moved to 111.; thence to Wis., and 
in 1854 came to Harrison county, la. He was in the government 
service during the late Avar, as deputy provost marshal and enroll- 
ing officer. Was married in Denison, la., in 1858, to Almira P. 
Carrico, and has five children — three sons and two daughters. 

John W. Barnhart, attorney at law, was born in Northumber- 
land county. Pa.. Nov. 30th, 1837; moved to Mich, in 1849. He 
graduated from Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, in 1864; read 
law wath H. T. Severns, and was admitted to the bar in 1865; 
came to Iowa and located at Boonsboro, Boone county, and opened an 
office. He was mayor of that place three terms. lu Feb., 1878, 



IIISTUKY OF IOWA. 329 

he removed to Logaji; has beeu mayor of tliis city one term. He 
was married in Mich, to Susan M. Hicks, of Saratoga, N. Y.. July 
1 1th, 1 865. They have four children — two sons and two daughters, 

John A. Berry, attorney at law, was born in Md. He was a stu- 
dent of the Agricultural College in the senior class of '71; came 
west in 1874, and after spending some time in Montana, located at 
Logan, He engaged in teaching school and in various pursuits, 
until 1880, Avhen he was admitted to the bar, and engaged in the 
practice of the law. Hie office is known as the Harri«;on County 
Collection Agency, He married Martha Burnett, of Mount Ver- 
non, la,, Nov. 7th, 1880, and has one child, a daughter. 

Hon. L. R. Bolter represents Harrison county in the state leg- 
islature. He was born in 0. in 1835; moved to Logan in 1863, 
and engaged in the practice of the law. He was elected to the 
legislature in 1865, '73, '75 and '81 on the democratic ticket. He 
was temporary speaker of the house in 1874. In 1855 he married 
Caroline J. Rhinehart, of Cass county, Mich. Thev have two sons 
and one daughter. 

T. J. Buchanan, furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in 
Boone county. 111., March 10th, 1856; removed to Rockford : thence 
to Harrison county, la., and engaged in farming three years in 
Union township. In Feb., 1881, he bought his present i)usiness 
of Rudd & Soper, and carries an elegant stock of goods. He mar- 
ried Alice A. I3rownell, at Rockford, 111., April 14th, 1876, and has 
one child, a daughter. 

S. A. Broadwell,land and loan office, was born in Cincinnati 
March 21st, 1848, In 1862, he joined the 34th 0. Zouaves; was 
afterwards courier and messenger, a id in 1864 returned to Cincin- 
nati, He was employed by Tyler, Davidson & Co. until 1866, when 
he was appointed sutler of Jellterson Barracks, Mo., where he re- 
mained two years; then went to New Orleans, and ran a trading 
boat for about a year, and then engaged in the wholesale boot and 
shoe business in Nev,' Orleans. He then removed to Mobile, Ala., 
and engaged in the same business, and through sickness was 
obliged to discontinue and travel for a time. He next engaged in 
the land and loan brsiness in Champaign, 111., remaining there five 
years; removed thence to Logan, and opened his present office. 
He is a very popular man, and does an extensive business, owning 
and controlling four thousand acres and more of well improved 
lands, besides a large amount of stock. He is one of the leading 
members of the Masonic order in la., being Grand Warden of the 
Grand Commandery of the State of Iowa. 

Hon, Phineas'Cadwell, president of the Cadwell bank, was born 
in Madison county, N, Y.. April 17th, 1824; moved to Racine, 
Wis,, and engaged in farming; thence to Harrison county, la., in 
Aug., 1854; engaged in farming, until 1875, when he Cbtablished 



330 • HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

his present business. He also deals in real estate, loans, and insu- 
rance. He was elected to the legislature in 1871, on the republi- 
can ticket. He has been president of the county agricultural 
society twenty years, and on the state agricultural b'.^ard as one of 
its directors eighteen years, and served four years as trustee of the 
state agricultural college at Ames, la. He married Harriet N. 
Fisk, Oct. 7th, 1845, and has three sons and two daughters. 

E. P. Cad well, of the firm of King & Cadwell, attorneys at law, 
land, loan and insurance olhce, was born in Racine, Wis., Dec. 
21st, 1854; moved with his parents to Independence, la. Eutered 
the Ames Agricultural College in 1871, graduated in 1875, was 
admitted to the bar in 1877, under Judge Bradley, of Marshall- 
towu, la., and soon after opened an office in Logan. In the 
fall of 1877 he formed a partnership with Mr. Barnhart, and in 
Nov., 1881, with Mr. King. He owns a fine stock farm in Jeffer- 
son township, of 840 acres, well fitted with buildings and im- 
provements, wdiere he keeps about 400 head of cattle, besides horses 
hogs, etc., and has 440 acres of pasture land in Monona county. 
He married Hannah P. Lyman, of Messapotamia, 0., in the 
autumn of 1877. They have one child, a daughter. 

S. H. Cochran, attorney at law, was born in Carmine, Ills., in 
1852; in 1874 he graduated at the Iowa State Law School, and 
engaged in the practice of law at Missouri Valley; removed to 
Logan in the fall of 1881; attends exclusively to trial business. 
In 1880 he was engaged in the prosecution of the Western Millers' 
Association cases, involving the constitutionality of the "Iowa 
Fish Way Laws," in which a decree was obtained, holding them 
void, and he was also successful in obtaining a decree annulling 
section 3,058 of the code as unconstitutional. In 1880 he was 
appointed one of the committee of examiners of the law class at 
Iowa City; was the youngest lawyer on the committee. In 1877 
he was married to Mary E. Shimmius, a native of Wis., although 
of English parentage. 

Oscar Coffey, of the firm of Coffey & George, proprietors of 
bakery, restaurant and grocery, was born in Pottawattamie county, 
la.; was engaged in farming until locating here in Aug., 1881, 
when he established present thriving business. 

A. W\ Clyde, of the firm of Smith & Clyde, attorneys at law, 
was born in Otsego county, N. Y.; moved to Mitchell county, la., 
in 1855, and was proprietor of the Mitchell County News, for five 
years. He then moved to Logan, and engaged in the practice of 
the law. He was married at Madison, Wis., in 1877, to Bessie 
Johnson, and has one child, a son. 

Logan Crawford, county surveyor, was born Jan. 13th, 1822, in 
Union, Conn.; moved to Mayville, Wis., in the spring of 1847, and 
was employed on the Fond du Lac & Watertown R. R. He sur- 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 331 

veyed in 1851, and in the summer of 1852 was again em- 
ployed by tlie Railroad Company as surveyor, under J. 
S. Sewell, engineer. Mr. S. was transferred to the C. & N. 
W. 11. K. on the 111. division, and sent for Mr. C. to assist. 
In 1854 he settled in Harrison county, an:l bought land near 
Calhoun; has suffered large losses from prairie fire. He enlisted 
in lb61 in the 5th la. Infantry; enlisted as a private: was pro- 
moted in 1863 to lieutenant; was engaged in the battle of Pitts- 
burg Landing; was wounded at Corinth, Oct. Gth, 1863, and again 
at Atlanta, Ga.; was severely wounded by musket shot through 
the chest, and reported dead; was taken prisoner in that condition, 
and put in the hospital at Macon, Ga. ; was transferred to Charles- 
town, S. C, and exchanged in December in 1864. He was elected 
surveyor in 187J), on the republican ticket, and re-elected in 1881; 
has been justice of the peace of Calhoun township two terms. He 
married Ileleu M. Rising, at Maysville, Wis. They have four 
children living. 

Dr. P. R. Crosswait, of the firm of P. R. Crosswait & Co., deal- 
ers in dry goods, clothing, groceries and general merchandise, was 
born in Fulton county, 111., July 12th, 1853; removed to Cass 
county, la., in 185G, and engaged in school teaching until the be- 
ginning of the late war, when he enlisted in the 1st la. Cav.; served 
three years west of the Missouri river; was in the battle of Prairie 
Grove and the taking of Little Rock, Ark. In Sept., 1864, he was 
mustered out of the service, and went to Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, and in 1865 settled in Harrison county, where he practiced 
twelve years; then went to Miami College, at Cincinnati, and 
graduated in the spring of 1877; then returned to this county and 
practiced two years in Logan, when he engaged in his present 
business. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge and encamp- 
ment, also of the A. 0. U. W. lodge. He married Mary Murphy, 
of Magnolia, la. 

William Elliott, farmer, La Grange township, owns 305 acres of 
land all fenced and a Avell improved stock farm. He was born in 
Durham, Eng. ; came to America in 1846 and located in Pa.; re- 
moved to la. in 1862 and located on his present farm and has a fine 
herd of cattle. He married Anna Phillips, in Pa., in 1853. They 
have seven children. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. 

John V. Evans, attorney at law, was born in Genesee county, N, 
Y., Jan. 8th, 1847; removed to Clinton county, la., in i863; 
studied law with Geo. B. Young of De Witt, and was admitted to 
the bar in Clinton, Dec. 7th, 1870. He removed to Magnolia, Harri- 
son county; thence to Logan at the time it became the county 
seat. He was county attorrey two years and mayor of Logan the 
first two terms; is a member of the 1. 0. 0. F. lodge and encamp- 
ment and a blue lodge mason. He married Clara M. King, June 
16th, 1875. They have one child, a son. 



332 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Wm. Giddings, P. M. and druggist, also dealer in stationery, 
toys, etc., was born in McHenry county, 111., Aug. 26tli, 1845; re- 
moved to Council Bluffs in 1868 and Avas with DeHaven & Giddings, 
druggists. In 1869, came to Magnolia, Harrison county, and in 
1872 came to Logan and engaged in his present business. In June, 
1875, was appointed postmaster of Logan. He married Helen N. 
Nelson in Beloit, Wis. They have one child, a sou. 

W. B. Goodenough, shoemaker, was born in Lewis county, N. 
Y., May 17th, 1862; moved with parents in Nov., 1867, to Logan, 
la., and is engaged in the above business, with his father M. H. 
Goodenough, who was born in Lewis County, N. Y., and was en- 
gaged in shoe making, until he came to Logan, wiiere he resumed 
same business. He served from 1863 to the close of the war, in 20th 
N. Y. Cav. He married Aug. 17th, 1856, to Emeliue Dodge. They 
have three sons and two daughters. 

A. K. Grow, county recorder, was born in Courtlandt county, 
N. Y., in 1862; removed to Washington county, Neb., in 1857; 
thence to Harrison county, la., in Nov., 1858, and settled in Boyer 
township and engaged in milling for three years; then built a mill 
which he ran until 1875, and sold to John & Wilson Williams. Was 
elected to his present office in 1876 on republican ticket. He mar- 
ried Eliza J. Baskin, a native of Pa. They have one son and six 
daughters. 

G. W. Guilford, proprietor of meat market, was born in Orleans 
county, Vt., 1843; moved to Tama county, la., in 1860. He en- 
listed in 1861 in the 10th la. Vol. Inft., and served four years 
and two months; was in twenty-seven engagements; was wounded 
at the battle of Champion Hill, Miss.; was at the seige of Corinth 
and New Madrid, at the battle of Missouri Ridge and w^ounded 
twice. Was with Sherman in the march to the sea; discharged 
in 1865. Came to Harrison county in 1867; resided in Dunlap 
thirteen years; while there, was a member of the city council four 
years. Has lived in Logan two years; is now a member of the city 
council of that place. He married Mrs. Campbell, of Harlan, la. 
They have two sons and three daughters. He is a member of the 
G. A. R. post at this place. 

A. L. Harvey, of the firm of Harvey & Ford, proprietors of the 
Harrison County Bank, was born in Madison county, N. Y., in 
July, 1826; removed to Rockland county in 1853; thence to Jas- 
per county, la., in 1856, and the following year located at Mag- 
nolia, Harrison county. In 1860 he was elected county treasurer 
and recorder, the two offices being consolidated; was re-elected in 
1862. He opened a land and loan office in 1864, and when Logan 
became the county seat removed there; in 1876 established the 
bank with J. C. Milliman, Avho sold his share in 1878 to Mr. 
Ford. Mr. H. was the first land agent and first notary public in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 333 

the county, lias sold about 25,000 acres of land during the last 
year (1881), owns a tine farm of 436 acres, four and one-half miles 
from Woodbine, besides about 200 acres in other parts of the 
county. Has been internal revenue assessor three years. Is a 
member of the A. F. and A. M. lodge, also of the I. 0. 0. F. 

D. M. Hardy, deputy treasurer, was born in Glenwood, la., in 
18,")!; removed with his parents to Harrison county, is son of 
Judge Hardy, one of the oldest settlers of this county and the first 
county judge. He is an extensive farmer, and one of the pro- 
prietors of Willow mill, the oldest mill in the county. Mr. Hardy 
is a member of the A. 0. U. W. lodge, also of the 1. 0. 
0. F. He married Miss Severins, of Wis., in 1872. They have 
two sons and two daughters. 

C. L. Hyde, clerk of the courts, was born in Otsego county, N. 
Y., in 1813; came to la. in 1886, and first located at Little Sioux, 
Harrison county; has been a resident of the county ever since. He 
was elected to his present office in 1876 on the republican ticket. 
He enlisted in 1862 in the 20th Wis. Inft.; was discharged after 
seven months, and then joined the 41st Wis. Inft. He married 
Mary Russell, and has three sons. 

G. T. Kelley, attorney at law, was born in Johnson county. 111., 
in 1846; moved to Mills county, la., in 1854, and to Harrison coun- 
ty in 1867. He graduated and Avas admitted to the bar at the 
Iowa State University, June 10th, 1876, and soon after opened 
a lawoflice at Logan. He married Maria Allen, in Harrison coun- 
ty, in 1870, and has two children, a son and daughter. 

Fred Kimpel, jeweler and barber, was born Mar. 16th, 1847, in 
Bavaria, Ger.; came to America in Sept., 1864; learned the barber 
trade in N. Y. In 1866 he removed to Scranton, Pa., and engaged 
in the barber busiuess; removed to Dunlap, la., in 1869; thence in 
1876, to Logan, and engaged in his present business; owns con- 
siderable real estate in this city. He is a member of the A. 0. U. 
W., I. 0. 0. F., and A. F. & A. M. lodges. He married Mary 
Fisher, in Scranton, Pa. They have one son and three daughters, 

S. I. King, of the firm of King & Cadwell, attorneys at law, was 
born Sept. 8th, 1848, in Saratoga county, N. Y.; came to Harrison 
county with his jmrents in 1852 and located at Six Mile Grove. 
He is the son of Judge S. King,who was one of the first settlers of 
this county and one of the commissioners who located the county 
seat at Magnolia, in 1854. Mr. King removed to Boyer Valley, 
and was engaged in teaching most of the time, from the age of 
fifteen until 1867, when he attended the State University, of Iowa 
City. He left in graduating year on account of serious illness. 
Again engaged iu teaching school; in 1870 taught the high school 
of Maguolia. Then traveled for the wholesale dry goods house of 
Smith & Crittenden, Council Bluffs. He attended the Law School 



334 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

at Des Moines in 1875, graduated and was admitted to the bar in 
1876, and opened an office in Logan; at the end o£ two months he 
removed to Magnolia and opened an office there; came back to 
Logan in 1879 and formed a partnership with E. P. Cadwell in 
Nov., 1881. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and A. 0. U. W. 
lodges. He is also chairman of the republican central committee. 
He was married in 1871 to Abbie M. Mark, of Fredonia, N. Y. 

Hon. Thomas M. C. Logan, senator elect of 31th district, was 
born in Rush county, Ind., Feb. 13th, 1830; moved to Richland 
county. 111., in April 1857; thence to Cedar Rapids, Linn county; 
and from there to Harrison county. He has been engaged most of 
his life in farming and dealing in stock. He resides on his fine 
farm adjoining Logan. He was married Feb. 17th, 1851, to Char- 
lotte Snodgrass, in La Porte, Ind., who died in Jan. 1867, leaving a 
son and daughter. He afterwards married at Cedar Rapids, Har- 
riet Herbert. They have four sons and three daughters. 

A. Longman, Jr., proprietor of the Logan Flouring Mills, was 
born in Derby, Eng., in 1848; came to America with his parents in 
1851 and located in Holt county, Mo.; removed to Harris Grove, 
Harrison county, la., in 1852. The subject of this sketch grad- 
uated from Oskaloosa CMlege in 1874. The mill was built in the 
winter of 1855-6 by Henry Reel, who sold it to Mr. McCoid, of 
whom Mr. L. purchased it in Sept., 1880, and has established an 
extensive business. He was married in Wis., to Miss Whitcomb, 
in 1877, who died leaving one child, a daughter. 

James A. Lusk, proprietor of the Lusk House and livery and feed 
stable, established business in 1860. He was born in Morris county, 
N. Y., in 1824; removed to Mills county, la., in 1855; thence to 
Harrison county in 1863; was engaged in farming until he engaged 
in the hotel business. He married Minerva Roberts (deceased) in 
1846, and afterwards Lydia B. Kelsey. They have four sons and one 
daughter. 

Horace C. McCleary, M. D., was born in Warren county, la., in 
July 1859; received his education at the Simpson Centenary Col- 
lege, at Indianola, la., studied medicine in the medi al department 
of the State University, at low^a City, and graduated in 1881 from 
Rush Medical College, Chicago. He located in Logan. July 20th, 
1881, succeeding Dr. Giddings. Although a new-comer he is al- 
ready in the possession of a lucrative and increasing practice. He 
is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge. 

Allen Middlelon, deputy sheriff, was born in Washington coun- 
ty, la., in 1855; came to Harrison county in 1867. 

Wiley Middleton, sheriff, was born in 0.; removed to Washing- 
ton county, la.; thence to Harrison county in 1867. He was 
elected to his present office in 1879. He married Julia A. Lock- 
ling, and has three sons and one daughter. 



I 



HISTORY OK IOWA. 335 

Wm. Palmer, farmer, was born in London, Ontario, Canada, in 
Oct., 1833; came to Whiteside county. 111., with his parents in 
1851, where he remained two years; then removed to Walworth 
county, Wis., where he remained seven years; then came to Har- 
rison county. He has been married three times; his present wife 
was Sarah Streeter; were married in 1880. He has three sons and 
three daughters. 

J. W. Reed, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Va. in 
1817; moved to Harrison county, la., in 1868, and engaged in pres- 
ent business with P. J. Kudiseli in 1875; became sole proprietor 
in 1877. He has been a member of the town council several years. 
During the war of the rebellion he served in the 43rd West Va. 
Bat., Mosby's command. He was married in 1874 to Miss Low, of 
Atchinson county. Mo., Avho died in 1876, leaving one child, a 
daughter. He was again married in 1878 to Miss Williams, of 
Boone county, la. They have two children, daughters. 

H. H. Roadifer, of the firm of Evans & Roadifer, attorneys at 
law, was admitted to the bar in La Salle county. 111., June 4th, 
1875, before the supreme court. He came to Logan in 1878, and 
engaged in the practice of law with Mr. Evans; has been Mayor of 
this city one term. 

J. W. Rudd, farmer in Union tp., was born in 1838, in Va.; 
moved to Harrison county in 1870 with his father, Wm. T. Rudd, 
and located at Logan, where they engaged in furniture and 
undertaking business, which they continued eleven years; then sold 
to T. J. Buchanan. He was city councilman three years, and is a 
member of the A. 0. U. W.,I. 0. 0. F., and A. F. & A.M. lodges. 
He married Sarah C. Sprinkel, of Amsterdam, Va., and has two 
sonsr, and two daughters. 

(xeo. B. Seekel. dealer in lumber, grain and agricultural imple- 
ments, was born in Taunton, Mass., in Sept., 1823; the most of 
his younger days were spent in Providence, K. I. In 1856 he 
moved to Madison, Wis., and engaged in the grain business; went 
south in 1864 and remained two years, after which he engaged in 
the lumber trade in Chicago; after two years he went to St. Paul, 
Minn., having the management and general agency of the Singer 
sewing machine. In 1871 removed to Logan and engaged in his 
present business; has been a member of the city council, and 
president of the school board several years. He is a member of 
the I. 0. 0. F. and A. F. & A. M. lodges. He was married in Dec, 
1847, to Martha M. Williams, of N. Y., and has one daughter. 

Geo. Soper, dealer in hardware, was born in Rome, N. Y., July 
14th, 1853; moved with parents to Clinton, la., in 1857, and came 
to Logan in July, 1878, and engaged in present business. He is a 
member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge. He was married Aug. 26th, 
1878, to Lena Dodson, of Stanwood. la. They have one child, a son. 



336 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Hon. Joseph H. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Clyde, attorneys 
at law, was born in Beaver Cv^unty, Pa.;moved to Harrison county, 
la. in 1857, and engaged in the practice of law; formed a partner- 
ship with A. W. Clyde in 1879. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. C. 29th 
la. Inft.; was second lieutenant. He was elected a member of the 
legislature one term. He married Julia A. Warrick, a native of 
Pa., and has five sons and one daughter. 

Daniel Stewart, wagon maker, was born in Little Falls, Herki- 
mer county, N. Y., Oct. 31st, 1833; moved to Logan in 1872 and 
engaged in his present business. He served diiriug the rebellion 
in tne 121st IS. Y. Vol.; was in a number of important battles; 
was wounded Oct. 19th, 1861, and in hospital at Balti- 
more; was discharged May. 16th, 1865. He is a member of the A. 
0. U. VV. and G. A. R. orders. He married Margaret M. Clarke, of 
Herkimer county, N. Y., in July, 1861, and has one child a son. 

John W. Stocker, grocer and dealer in corn and stock, was born 
in C.iled<jnia county, Vt., June 2nd, 1835; moved with parents to 
Lowell, Mass., in 1813; thence to McHenry county, 111., in 1854 
and engaged in farming; thence to Henry county, la., and en- 
gaged in setting up woolen mills; thence to Buchanan county in 
1857 and engaged in farming one year; then moved to Little Sioux. 
He enlisted in Co. C, 29th la. Inft.; was in a number of important 
battles; was regimental quartermaster and commanded his com 
patiy the last year and a half of bis service; was some time in Rio 
Grande, Tex., and returned home Sept. 2nd, 1805; moved to Wood- 
bine and bought an interest in the woolen mill thei'e; after six 
months sold out and removed to Magnolia, then the county seat, 
and was elected clerk of the courts in 1806 and re-elected in 1868. 
In 1876 he located in Logan and engaged in the stock and grain 
buying business and added the grocery business in 1879. He is a 
member of the Masonic, I. 0. 6. F, and I. 0. G. T. orders. He 
married Susan B. Bonney. in 1862. They have three daughters. 

J. T. Stern, farmer, was born in Chester county. Fa., in 1814; 
moved to la. in 1857 and settled on his present farm, in La Grange 
township, Harrison county, of 200 acres of well improved land, 
forty acres of it good timber. He was reporter for the Govern- 
ment Signal Service, Washington, D. C, for twenty years. He 
married Millicent B. Fletcher, of Lincolnshire, Eng., and has two 
sons and one daughter. His son Almor is county auditor. 

Almor Stern, county auditor, was born in Chester county, Pa., 
in 1854; came to Harrison with his parents in 1857; was employed 
in fanning, until he engaged as clerk in auditor's office; was elected 
to his preseut office in 1878. He married Laura Mann, of Harri- 
son county in 1880. They have one child, a son. 

Thomas Turnbull, dealer in grain and farm machinery, was born 
in Greene county, 0., June 20th, 1841, was engaged in farming and 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 337 

stock raising there until IST-i, when he came to Des Moines, la., 
and engaged in pork packing and curing with Fayette Meek; re- 
moved to Harrison county in Nov., ISTG, and engaged in his pres- 
ent business. He owns a well improved farm in Jelferson twp., of 
120 acres. He was married June 25th, 1865, to Susan B. Thomp- 
son, in Greene county, 0. They have four sons and three daughters. 

E. G. Tyler, land, loan and abstract office, was born in Chitten- 
den county, Vt., Feb. 15th, 1856; in 1866 moved to Hastings, 
Minn.; thence to Dunlap, la., in 1867. He graduated in 1878 
from the Iowa Agricultural College, at Ames, la. In 1870 he 
opened the office in Logan. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. 

J. L. Witt, M. D., wa? born March 4th, 1855, in Galesburg, Knox 
county, 111. He graduated from the medical department of the 
State LTniversity, at Iowa City in 1878, .and located in Logan the 
same year and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was 
married in Logan Nov. 30th, 1881, to Millie Vanderhoof. 

John Williams was born in Fayette county, 0., in 1827; moved 
with his parents to Noble county, Ind. ; thence to Mason county, 
111.; thence to Jefferson twp., Harrison county, la., where he now 
resides. He owns a well improved farm of 650 acres. He makes 
a specialty of raising fine stock. He has some very fine horses and 
one thorough-bred stallion which was imported from France at a 
cost of ^2,500. In fact we may say that Mr. Williams has one of 
the finest stock farms in Western Iowa. He was married in 1849 
to Sarah Anderson, of Noble county, Ind. They have three sons 
and five daughters. 

MONDAMIN. 

Thomas H. Allison, M. D., was born in Pa.; began the practice 
of medicine in 1849; removed to Missouri in 1857; thence to Mills 
county, Iowa; thence to Florence^ Neb., and in 1864 located at 
Council Bluffs, la. In 1881 he came to Mondamin, and openedan 
office. 

Charles Burrows, agent for the 8. C. & P. R. R. at Mondamin, 
is a native of Cincinnati, 0. At the age of nineteen vears, he re- 
moved to. Danville, 111. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. C, 124th 111. 
Vol.; served until Sept.. 1865, then returned to 111. and engaged 
in telegraphy at Springfield; has been in the employ of several of 
the principal railroad companies in the states of 111., Mo., Neb. and 
la. He was appointed agent at Mondamin in Dec, 1880; is also 
express agent and attorney at law. 

John T. Coffman, farmer, was born in Greene county, Tenn., in 
1828; removed with parents to Johnson county. Mo.; thence to 
that part of Lee county. la., then known as the Spanish land grant; 
thence located in the edge of Putnam county. Mo., which in 1838 



338 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

became Appanoose county, la. He removed to Lewis, Cass county, 
in 1863, and in the spring of the year following went to Virginia 
City, Montana; returned in the autumn, and in the spring of 1865 
moved to his present farm in Raglan township, Harrison county. 
He owns one thousand acres of land, and pays especial attention to 
stock raising. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. lodge. In 
1852 he was married to Matilda J. Croft, who died in 1851, leaving 
two children. In 1856 he married Susan Croft, and has seven 
children. 

Frederick M. Dupray. proprietor of hotel and blacksmith shop, 
was born in Ohio in 1831; moved to Mich, in 1843, and the next 
year to Jackson county, la. In 1852 he removed to Minn., and 
resided at St. Peter until 1857, when he returned tola. He located 
at Mondamin in 1876, and engaged in his present business. He 
was elected justice of the peace in 1879. 

Charles Gilmore, farmer, is a native of 0.; came to Harrison 
county, la., in 1850; his family followed the next year. He owns 
a farm of 1,200 acres, near Mondamin. He is one of the oldest 
settlers of this couut3^ 

B. Johnston, M. D., came from O.to Harrison county, la., in 
1855; returned to 0. in 1861, and enlisted in Co. G, 53rd 0. Vol. 
as assistant surgeon; was discharged in 1862, for physical disabil- 
ity; returned to 0., Avhere he remained until 1869, when he re- 
turned to Harrison county, la., and engaged in the practice of 
medicine at Mondamin. 

L. Maunhart, harness maker, was born in Algiers, Germany, in 
1853; came to America in 1873, and located at Joliet, 111. He 
came to Mondamin, la., in 1878, and engaged in his present busi- 
ness; deals in all kinds of harness, saddles, and horse furnishings 
found in first-class shops. 

L. H. Noyes, grain dealer, is a native of 0., moved to Harrison 
county, la., in 18G7, and engaged in farming. In 1875 he en- 
gaged in his present business. 

James Noyes, grocer, a native of 0. ; settled in Harrison county, 
la., in 1866, and engaged in his present business at Mondamin in 
Dec, 1881, on the corner of Maple and Main streets. 

Z. T. Noyes, dealer in general merchandise, was born in 0. in 
1849; moved to Harrison county in 1856, with his parents, and 
settled near the present site of Mondamin; moved into the town 
in 1869, and was for four years employed in his father's store, 
previous to engaging in his present business. 

Thomas Regan, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Cork 
county, Ireland; came to America in 1854, and settled in Conn.; 
removed to Chicago, 111., in 1865. In 1868 he removed to Jones 
county, la.; thence to Mondamin, Harrison county, in 1870, and 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 339 

engagetl in Avagoii making, Avliiclihe followed until 1879, and then 
engaged in his present busine-!s. His wife is the pioneer milliner 
of Mondamin, having established business in 1870. Theirdaugh- 
ter Mary, was the first child born in the place, 

L. Snyder, hardware deah r, was born in Strausberg, Germany, 
in 1838; came to America m 1871, and located at Joliet, 111.; 
moved to Mondamin, la., in 1880, and engaged in his present 
business. 

P. C. Spooner, hardware dealer, was born in Vt.; moved to N. 
Y. at an early age and engaged in milling. In 1871 he came to 
Mondamin, la., and engaged in the grain and hardware business. 
A, Spooner, manager of the above house, came to Mondamin in 
1871, from Omaha, Neb., and is township clerk and city recorder. 

James D. Stuart, druggist, was born in Council Bluffs, la., in 
1860. He graduated from the State Pharmacy in 1880, and in 
April of the same year engaged in his present business at Mon- 
damin. 

Byron Strode, jeweler, was born in 0. in 1850; moved to Jones 
county, la., in 1875, and the following year came to Mondamin, 
Harrison county, and engaged in his present business. 

MODALE. 

E. Brandriff, farmer, is a native of N. Y.; moved to la. in 1859 
and located near Council Bluffs, and was engaged in freighting to 
Denver, Col., until 1864, when he moved to Harrison county, and 
engaged in farming near Modale. 

W. W. Broadhead, proprietor of billiard hall, is a native of 0.; 
moved to Modale, la., in 1877 and engaged in farming. In 1881 
he engaged in his present business. 

Levi Crouch, dealer in groceries, is a native of Mo.; moved to 
Mills county, la., in 1851; thence to Harrison county in 1867. He 
engaged in his present business in 1878. 

R. Christian, M. D., was born in N. Y.; moved to JeflFerson, 
Greene county, la., in 1867; graduated from the Hahnaman Med- 
ical College, of Chicago, 111., in 1874, located at Modale in 1879 
and engaged in the practice of medicine. 

C. J. Cutler, merchant and postmaster, is a native of Pa.; moved 
to Neb., in 1856. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. H, 2d Neb. Cav., 
and was with Gen. Sully fourteen months, on the plains: returned 
to Neb. and engaged in freighting. In 1866 he removed to Coun- 
cil Bluffs, la., and engaged in the grocery business. The same 
year he came to Modale, and in 1874 established his present busi- 
ness; was appointed postmaster the following year. 



340 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

J. W. HuflF, M. D. and druggist, was born in Harrison county, 
in 1857; graduated from the Rusli Medical College, of Chicago, 
111., in 1881. He located at Modale, and engaged in his present 
business in April, 1880. 

F. H. Ludwig, farmer, is a native of Pa.; moved to 0. in 1855; 
thence to Modale, la., in 1869. He built the first grain house at 
that place. 

Job Ross, stock and grain dealer, was bom in 111., in 1831; 
moved to Harrison county. la., in 1854, and engaged in farming. 
In 1876 he moved to Modale and established the first hardware 
store in the place. In 1880 he engaged in his present business. 

W. A. Sharpnack, dealer in general merchandise, is a native of 
W. Va., and a son of Henry Sharpnack, who was one of the first 
settlers of Harrison county. He came to this county in 1857 and 
engaged in farming, until 1878, when he engaged in his present 
business. He also deals in grain. 

W. M. Sharpnack, dealer in hardware, is a native of Ya. ; came 
with his father, John Sharpnack, to Washington county, la., in 
1850, and four years later came to Harrison county, and engaged 
in farming until 1880, w^hen he moved to Modale and engaged in 
his present business. 

LITTLE SIOUX. 

J. W. Alton, dealer in general groceries, is a native of 111.; came 
to Iowa in 1875 and engaged in farming near Little Sioux, and in 
1877 he engaged in his present business. He enlisted in the war 
of the rebellion in 1862 in Co. A, 118th 111. Vol., and was dis- 
charged at the close of the war. 

H. H. Bonney, proprietor of hotel and livery stable at Little 
Sioux, is a native of Pa.; removed to this place in 1865, and en- 
gaged in the grocery business. He erected the hotel in 1878, 
which is a first class house in all its appointments. 

Colonel A. Cochran, was born in Va.; located at Little Sioux in 
1854; went to Denver and Central City, Col., in 1801, and engaged 
in mining and mercantile business, and after four years engaged 
in the land business at Council Bluffs, la. He owns large landed 
property near Little Sioux, Harrison county. 

C. E. Cobb, dealer in hardware and lumber, is a native of N, Y.; 
moved to Iowa in 1856 and engaged in farming, near Little Sioux, 
Harrison county. In 1874 he engaged in his present business. 

B. F. Croasdale, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Pa. 
in 1839; moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1864, and was employed 
as salesman in a mercantile house until 1866, when he came to 
Little Sioux and engaged in his present business. 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 341 

C. David, dealer in farniture, was born near Montreal, Canada, 
in 1856; came to Little Sioux, Iowa, in 1879 with but ten cents, 
to start with; is now doin<^ a good business, and is the owner of 
considerable fine real estate. 

Clark Ellis, druggist, was born in Ohio, in 1843, and with his 
widowed mother, moved to Harrison county, Iowa, in 1853. He 
enlisted in 18(32, in Co, C, 29th la, Inft.; returned to this county 
at the close of the war, and engaged for a time in farming, after 
which he established his present business. He graduated from the 
Iowa State Pharmacy in 1880, A, M, Ellis, an older brother, now 
engaged in the stock business at this place, is also an old settler 
of this county. He enlisted in Co, H, 15th la, 

D, M, Garnet, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Otsego 
county. N, Y,, in 1811; moved to 111. in 1837; thence in 1846 to 
Council Bluffs: remained there two years, and then removed to 
Glenwood, Mills county, of which place he was one of the pro- 
prietors. In 1852 he settled at Magnolia, Harrison county, and 
was the first recorder and treasurer of the county. Five years 
later he removed to Little Sioux and engaged in his present busi- 
ness. 

Geo. T. Hope, of the firm of Hope Bros., photographers and 
dealers in drugs and furniture, is a native of Green county, N, Y.; 
moved to 111, in 1851, and with his brother Wm, H., engaged in 
farming. In 1870 they moved to Little Sioux, la., and engnged in 
the mercantile business. They established their present business 
in 1879, 

M. Johnson, wine and liquor dealer, is a native of Pottawattamie 
county, la,; moved to Harrison county in 1854 and engaged in 
farming. In 1874 he went to Idaho and Montana, where he spent 
four years; returned and engaged in his present business at Little 
Sioux. 

Thomas J. Lanyon, postmaster at Little Sioux, was born in Pa. 
in 1848; moved with his parents to Monona county, la., in 1858; 
thence to this place in 1805. In 1870 he was appointed postmaster, 
and about the same time engaged in the fancy grocery business. 

Mrs. S. J. Long, milliner, was born in Ohio, moved to 111., and 
in 1864 to Salt Lake City, where she remained two years, and then 
settled in Little Sioux. Her husband, P. R. Long, is a. native of 
N. Y., and is engaged in bridge and house building at this place. 

M. Murray, banker, stock raiser and dealer in general merchan- 
dise, was born in Scotland in 1840; came to America at the age of 
seventeen years, located at Little Sioux, and was in the employ of 
the mail service at fifteen dollars per month until 1862, wjien he 
removed to Denver, Col., and engaged in the stock and freight 
business. Six years later he returned to this place and engaged in 



342 HISTOKY OF IOWA, 

his present business. He owns a fine stock farm of several hun- 
dred acres near town, on which still stands the little old log house 
that he arrived at in 1857, a penniless Scotch lad. It was the 
first building used for a store in Harrison county. 

C. W. Oden, manager of the banking and mercantile business of 
M. Murray, was born in Ross county, 0., in 1831; moved to la. in 
1858, and platted the town of Harlan, Shelby county; remained 
there until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 29th la. Vol. He 
was promoted quarter-master, which office he held until the close 
of the war. In 1866 he located at Little Sioux and engaged in 
farming; was secretary of the Harrison Co. Agricultural society 
for fourteen years; accepted his present position in 1876. 

J. L. Perkins, farmer, was born inO., in 1834; moved to Jack- 
son county, la., in 1844; thence to Harrison county in 1850, and 
three years later located at Little Sioux. He devotes his special at- 
tention to the raising of fine varieties of potatoes. He raised over 
three hundred kinds in 1876. Bliss & Sons, of N- Y., offered a 
premium of one hundred dollars to the one raising the most pota- 
toes from one pound of seed. Mr. P. raised 1,666| lbs. from 
one lb., winning the first and also the second premiums. As the 
offer was open to the world, therefore Mr . Perkins is universally 
pronounced the Potato King. One hundred of nis potatoes aver- 
aged two pounds apiece . 

Jeff. Smith, harness maker, was born in HI.; moved to Li. in 
1868, and located at Sioux City. Hi 1874 he removed to Little 
Sioux and engaged in his present business. He deals in all kinds 
of single and double harness, saddles, robes, whips, etc . 

J. A. Stockwell, blacksmith, is a native of Ind. ; moved to la. 
in 1855, and settled in Harrison county; was one of the original 
proprietors of California Junction . He moved to Little Sioux in 
1877, and engaged in his present business. 

Reuben Wallace, M. D., was born in Mass. in 1812. He be- 
gan the practice of medicine in 1845, at North Adams, Mass. In 
1849 removed to St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where he remained 
until 1857, when he came west. At the close of the war he 
settled in Harrison county, and engaged in the practice of his 
profession . 

J . S . Whiting, proprietor of billiard parlor, is a native of Mass . ; 
moved to W^is. in 1854; thence in 1859 to Colorado, where he en- 
gaged in mining; from there he went back to Oregon and Idaho, 
and then back to Mass. , where he remained one year, and in 1866 
came to la. In 1875 he removed to Salt Lake City, Utah., and 
engaged in the bottling business. A year later he settled at Little 
Sioux, and engaged in his present business . 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 3i3 

WOODBINE. 

L. D. Butler, lumber dealer and farmer, was born in Ky. in 
1826; removed to Clay county, Mo,, in 1837 with parents. In 
1846 was sent to England as a Mormon missionary, was gone two 
years, and in 1849 located at Council Bluffs; removed to Harrison 
county in 1853 and engaged in farming. He built the first grist 
mill in the county, which he sold to Dally & Clark. He engaged 
in the mercantile business in 1856, near the mill; moved the busi- 
ness to Woodbine in 1S(')7 and was burned out the same year. He en- 
gaged in the lumber business in the spring of 1881. He owns a 
farm in Lincoln township of 880 acres, 100 acres in Douglas town- 
ship and 200 acres in Boyer township. He has been Postmaster 
in Harrison county twenty years. He severed connection with 
the Mormon church twenty-five years ago. He was married in 
1849 at Birmingham, Eng., to Anna Binnall. and has ten child- 
ren. 

Orrin DeWitt Cole, druggist, was born near AVoodbine in 1859. 
His parents came to this county in 185(), and engaged in farming. 
The business was established in 1870, under firm name of J. S. 
Cole & Son, his father since retiring from the business. 

N. L. Cole, furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in Indian- 
apolis, lud., in 1841; came to Harrison county with parents. He 
enlisted in the (3th la. Cav.; was engaged against the Indians in 
Neb. and Dak.; was injured while building a fort at Sioux Falls, 
Dak., Aug. 13th, 1865, and discharged in Oct. of the same year. 
He was married in Sept. 1867, to Libbie Irne. He was engaged 
in farming until May, 1881; bought furniture stock and building 
of W. Cantield. John 8. Cole, father of the subject of this sketch 
was one of the first settlers of this county. He was a practicing 
physician. He was also a member of the county board five terms. 
Died Aug. 2nd, 1881. 

L.H. Crane, deputy postmaster and grocer, was born in Roches- 
ter, Minn., in April, 1860; removed with parents to Jeddo, Har- 
rison county, la., in 1862; the next year they moved to a farm two 
miles from Woodbine. He is a graduate of Miller's Mercantile 
College, of Keokuk, la. In 1879 he moved to Woodbine and 
engaged in business with his father, who was appointed postmaster 
in March, 1881. 

W . D . Cromie, dealer in general merchandise, clothing and 
grain; was born June 29th, 1851, in Cecil county, Md.; moved 
with parents to Harrison county, la., in 1867. He graduated 
from Bailey's Commercial College, at Keokuk, la., in Feb., 1874. 
In 1875 located at Woodbine; he.ld the office of postmaster for 
six years. He was married in 1877 to Florence Daly, and has one 
child, a son. 



344 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

Joseph W . Dally, of the firm of Dally & Noyes, proprietors of 
the "Woodbine flouring mills, was born in 0. in 1829. He went 
toCal. in 1852,andin 1855 settled in Ham'lton county, la. He 
removed to Harrison county in 1859, and engaged in mercantile 
business at Magnolia. He built the Woodbine woolen mills near 
this place, which he ran six years, and in 1871 bui!t the flouring 
mills. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and A. F. & A. M. orders. 
In 1855 he was married to Miss Goodrich, of Indianapolis, Ind., 
who died in 1865. He afterwards married Nancy La Ferre, in 
Harrison county, and has four sons and six daughters. 

J. H. Farnsworth, farmer, was born in 0. in 1834; moved to 
Council Blufls, la., in 1854; thence to Harrison county the same 
year and engaged in farming, near Woodbine. In 18(34 he estab- 
lished the Woodbine nursery, which he recently sold to Fugsley 
Bros. He was married in 1855 to Olive A. Howorth. They have 
seven children. 

George Gamer, ]iroprietor of Woodbine barber shop and tem- 
perance billiard liall, was born near Council Blufls, la., in April, 
1855. In 18G1 removed with parents to Raglan Tp., Harrison 
county, and in Dec, 1881, he bought out the fixtures of 0. Elkins, 
and keeps a strictly temperance hall, with lunch bar in connection. 

H. C. Harshbarger, dealer in groceries, was born in Spencer 
county, Ind., in 1840; removed with parents to Mahaska county, 
la., in 1848, and to Harrison county in 1856, locating near pres- 
ent town of Woodbine. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. I, Neb. Inft,; 
was in several prominent battles, and in 18G5 was discharged and 
returned to Harrison county. In 1865, he was elected county 
auditor, and county recorder in 1866, and in 1870 engaged in the 
mercantile business, which he continued for three years; then 
engaged in farming for six years, and in 1881 sold his farm and 
engaged in his present business. He still owns 240 acres of good 
farming laud in the coimty. He was postmaster of this city 
three and one-half years, is a member of A. F. & A. M. order. He 
was married to Emily Muridy, in 1865, who died in 1870, and in 
1872 he was married to Nettie Edgerton. 

Svlvester B. Kibler, senior member of the firm of Kibler Bros. 
& Winter, dealers in general merchandise, was born in Portage 
county. 0., in 1846; moved to Harrison county, la., with parents 
in 1853. He engaged in present business with his brother G. H. 
and in Aug., 1880, they took into the firm Mr. Winter. They have 
one of the finest buildings in the county, built in 1878, and carry 
a very large and complete stock of goods; are also agents for the 
Mason & Hamlin organs and the American sewing machine. 8. 
B. Kibler was married in 1873, to Caroline Ellison. 

A. P. Lathrop, harnessmaker, tvas born in Hastings, Ontario, 
Canada, in 1849; removed to 111. in 1856 and learned his trade at 



4 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 345 

Morrison. He was in business in Syracuse, Otto county, Neb., 
two years; moved to Dunlap, la. in 1874, and was engaged in busi- 
ness with Mr. Howard of that phice, four years, and removed to 
Woodbine in 1878. He was marshal of Dnnlap two years; is mem- 
ber of encampment, I. 0. 0. F., and A. F. & A. M. orders. He was 
married in Shelby county, to Flora McGarvey, and has one child. 

Charles F. Luce, land, loan, and collecting agent, was 
born in Wis. in 1860, He graduated from the Morgan Park Mili- 
tary Academy, in 1877; came to Harrison county, la., in same year 
locating at Woodbine engaging in lumber and grain business 
which he continued two years, and then engaged in stock business, 
which he still carries on in connection with the agency, which he 
established in 1881. Office in the new Boyer Bank building. He 
is a member of the I. 0, 0. F., order. In 1879 and 1880 he was 
deputy sherifl' and jailor of Woodbine. 

Capt. Wm. M. Magden, attorney at law, was born in Genesee 
county, N. Y., in 1818; he removed to Wayne count}^ Mich., and 
engnged in the manufacture of agricultural implements; after- 
wards studied law in the office of Morgan & Joslin, at Elgin, HI., 
and with Gen. Baker, at Clinton, la., two years, and admitted to 
the bar in Clinton county, in Dec, 1859, Judge Dillon presid- 
ing. He practiced in that county until 1862 and enlisted in the 
26th la. Inft., served three years, and was promoted to captain. 
He was in a number of prominent battles and was wounded in the 
right arm by a ball, in the right side by a bursting shell, and lost 
the ends of two fingers of the left hand. He was discharged in 
1864, and returned to Clinton county; removed to Dunlap, Harri- 
son county, in 1870, and soon after opened an office at Woodbine. 
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. order. In 1855, he was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Gates, at Elgin, 111., and has ten children. 

Geo. A. Mathews, of the firm of Mathews & Kling, dealei's in 
lumber, grain and machinery, was born in Troy, Walworth county. 
Wis., in 1843. He was for twelve years engaged in the manufac- 
ture of brooms, at Stoughton, Wis. In 1877 became to Woodbine, 
la., and engaged in present business, with L. M. Kellogg and Mr. 
Kling. The former sold his interest in the fall of 18S1. Mr. M. 
was married in Troy, Wis., in 1867, to Mary E. Kling. They have 
two sons and one daughter. 

John Mann, Jr., farmer, owns 240 acres in Allen township. 
He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1853; came with parents to 
Woodbine, la., in 1871. His farm is well improved, and he makes 
stock raising his main object, and we may well say, has one of the 
finest stock farms in the county. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. 
F. lodge. He was married in April, 1881, to Candace L. Imley, of 
Magnolia, la. 

E. P. Mendenhall, land, loan, tax-paying and insurance agent, 
was born in Guilford connty, N. C, Oct. 28th, 1826; moved with 

33 



346 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

parents to Miami county, Ind., and in May, 1856, came to Harri- 
son county, la., and engaged in farming on two hundred acres, 
one mile from the present town of Woodbine. He opened pres- 
ent hmd office in 1879. He was married in Miami county, Ind., 
to Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt, daughter of Captain Rector. They have 
two children. 

Geo. Musgrave, publisher of the Woodbine Twiner, the county 
official paper, was born in Kendall, Westmoreland county, 
Eng., in 1837; came to America with parents in 1848; and settled 
in Harrison county, la., in 1851. He first began the printing 
business in St. Louis, afterwards at Council Bluffs, and then en- 
gaged in publishing the Western Star, at Magnolia, it being 
Harrison county's first paper; was republican in politics. In 1873 
he moved his office to Logan, where he remained three years; and 
then sold to Geo. Ross, of Harlan, Shelby county, to which place 
the office was removed. Mr. Musgrave's next venture Avas at 
Tekamah, Neb., where he published the Nebraska Advocate; 
finally sold out and located at Woodbine and established the 
Twiner, which has a subscription list of about nine hundred, and 
an office fitted in first-class manner. 

W. C. Samson, M. D., Avas born in Batemantown, Knox county, 
0.; removed with parents to Licking county, 0. In 18G3 he en- 
listed in the 76th 0. Vet. Vol., was through Gen. Sherman's cam- 
paign, march to the sea, etc., and a large number of the promi- 
nent battles; was discharged in July, 1865; returned to Ohio, and 
after visiting home, came to la., again returning to 0. to attend 
the Medical College, at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 
1875. He then came to Cedar Rapids, la., and engaged in the 
practice of medicine with Dr. Yarnell, of that city. In the spring 
of 1876, removed to Woodbine and is now recognized as one of the 
leading physicians in the county. He was married April 4th, 
1878, to Laura A. Pugsley, at AVoodbine. They have one child. 
Dr. S, has been a member of the city council several years; is a 
charter member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge. 

Comstock Willey, farmer, was born in Asthabula county, 0., in 
1821; removed to Harrison count}-, la., in 1867, and located on 
present farm, in Boyer township; owns 170 acres of good farming 
land, well improved, with bearing vineyard of two hundred vines, 
and good young orchard. He has been justice of the peace five 
years; is a member of the A. F. & A. M. order. He was married in 
Asthabula county, 0., to Rosanna Bell, and has four children. 

Irving C. Wood, M. D., was born in 1857, in Franklin county, 
N. Y., attended the Delaware Institute, at Franklin, graduating in 
the literary course in 1875. He attended the Medical Department, 
of University, at N. Y. City, also Jefferson Medical College, at 
Philadelphia, Pa., where he received degree in 1880; the following 



k 



HISTOUY OF IO\V.\. ?47 

spring took a practical course in oper.itive sur<]fery at the Philadel- 
phia School of Anatomy, and was as-distant surgeon at the Pa. hos- 
pital in out-patient surgical department one year. In July, ]S<S1, 
he located at Woodbine, la.: ojBice at Mr. Giddings' drug store. 
Dr. Wood, is already enjoying a lucratiA'e practice. He is a mem- 
ber of the A. F. & A. M. order. 

M. M. Vining, proprietor of Temperance l^illiard hall, was born 
in 1800, in Harrison county, la. He is a son of llichard Vining, 
one of the oldest settlers of the county. He established business 
in Dec, 1881;kee])s for sale confectionery and cigars, but no in- 
toxicants of any kind. 

Reuben Yeisley, architect, contractor, and builder, was born in 
Pa. in 1836; located in Harrison county in 1858, settled at Little 
Sioux and worked at his trade; in 1862 was elected drainage com- 
missioner, and in the fall of 18()3, was. elected recorder and treas- 
urer of county, and at the expiration of the term, was employed 
by the railroad company buying rights of way and land for the 
company. In 1807 he engaged in mercantile business, at Magno- 
lia, and sold out in 1870, and engaged in manufacturing M'oolen 
goods, and milling, near Woodbine; sold to Noyes & Adams in 
1874, and engaged in his present business. He is a member of the 
A. F. & A. M. order. He was married in 1861. at Little Sioux to 
Effie H. Schoeiield, and has one son and three daughters. 

DTJNLAP. 

Samuel Baird, proprietor of Baird's livery stable, established in 
1809, was born in 1S47; removed with parents to Pa.; thence to 
Cumberland, Md,, and in 1861 to Galesburg, 111., when he engaged 
with his father and brother in the coal business. In 1863 he en- 
listed in the 139tli 111. Inft., and afterwards enlisted in the 8tli 
111. Cav.; was discharged in 1865, and returned to Galesburg, and 
was employed in the flouring mills until 1860, when he moved to 
Dunlap and engaged in his present business. He was elected jus- 
tice of the peace in 1877, which office he still holds; Avas mayor of 
Dunlap in 1877, and the first marshal of the city; is at present 
district deputy grand marshal of the Odd Fellows lodge. He was 
married in 1865, at Henderson, 111., to Miss Sears, and has one son 
and two daughters. 

Geo. D. Bryan, stock dealer and shipper, was born in Howard 
county, la., in 1857; moved with parents to Burritt, 111.; thence in 
1861) to Dunlap, la. In 1875 he was employed in Jackson's hard- 
ware store; in 1877 engaged in the stock business with his brother, 
T. J., as partner. They bought and shipped from ("ol. and W y- 
oming, as also in this vicinity. They also raised thoroughbred 
a ttle. In Dec, 1880, they shippea a car load to Chicago which 
cveraged 2,080 lbs. Geo. D. B. is now sole proprietor of the busi- 
ess at Dunlap. He is a member of the I. 0. (). F. order. 



348 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

E. K. Burch, attorney at law, was born in 1852, in Steuben 
county, Ind.; removed with his parents to Hillsdale, Mich., where 
he attended the Hillsdale Baptist College for five years; graduated 
from the law department of the Union University of Albany. N. 
Y., in 1876, and the same year was admitted to the bar, at the gen- 
eral term of the supreme court. He commenced practice in Dun- 
lap, la., in Jan., 1879. He was admitted to the circuit court in 
the fall of 1878. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. P. order. He 
was married in Sept., 1880, at Denison, to M. S. Kuhn. 

W. H. Bush, of the firm of Lowell & Bush, harness makers and 
dealers in all kinds of horse furnishings, was born in 1819, in Morris 
county, N. J.; moved to Des Moines, la., in 1869; there learned 
the mason's trade with Morris & Naphey, and moved to Denison, 
la., in 1873; worked at the trade until 1881, when he formed his 
present partnership. They keep two men employed, and in the 
spring of 1882 will move business to larger building. 

G. W. Chamberlain, of the firm of Chamberlain & Lyman, deal- 
ers in 'groceries and queensware, was born in Feb., 1838, at Grand 
Detour, 111. He enlisted in the 75th 111. Inft., and was discharged 
in 1863, on account of lung disease; returned to 111., and in 1868 
came to Dunlap, la., and opened a restaurant, which he sold in 
1874; remained out of business two years; then engaged in his 
present business with Geo. Baker, who sold to H. Gleason, and he 
to Mr. Lyman in 1881. He was town recorder two years, and mem- 
ber of the city council. He was married in Sterling, 111., to Mary 
EUmaker, Avho engaged in the millinery business in 1869, which 
she still continues, carrying a large and complete stock of goods, 
at her location on Upper la. avenue. 

Thomas M. Clements, grain dealer, was born in Sheflield, 111., 
June 6th, 1865; moved with parents to Geneseo, 111.; thence to 
Greenwood. He attended the High school at Chicago two years; 
came to Dunlap, la., in 1879, and formed a partnership with F.E. 
Pike in the grain and agricultural implement business; sold his 
interest in agricultural implement business to Mr. Pike in Feb., 
1881; bought Mr. P.'s interest in the elevator in Dec, 1881, and 
now occupies what is known as the old Grange elevator. 

E. J. Cronkleton, of the firm of Cronkleton & Warren, con- 
tractors and builders, was born in Delaware county, 0., in 1835; 
learned his trade at Columbus, and in 1856 moved to Lyons, la., 
and the next year moved to Dpvenport. In 1861 he enlisted in 
the 2nd la. Cav. He was in a number of important battles, and 
was taken prisoner at Ripley, Miss., in July, 1864, and imprisoned 
at Cahaba, Ala. ; was released at the close of the war and discharged 
in 1865, at Davenport. In the spring of 1866 he went to Mon- 
tana; returned in the fall, and located at Fort Dodge; in the sum- 
mer of 1867 came to Dunlap and established his present business. 
He married Julia O'Hare at Boone, la., and has four children. 



1 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 349 

M. C. Dally, of the firm of Pattersou, Dally cS: Co.. dealers in 
general merchandise, was born in Hamilton county, la., in 1857; 
came to Harrison county with parents in 1859. He was book- 
keeper for Mitchell & Laub, for three and one-half years previous 
to engaging in his present business. 

Frank P. Eaton, painter and auctioneer, was born in Concord, 
N. H., in 1844; removed with his parents to Cass county, Mich. 
In 1862 enlisted in Co. I, 4th Mich. Cav.; was in several important 
battles; was discharged in Sept., 1864, on account of injuries re- 
ceived from being thrown from a horse; returned to Mich, and be- 
came a member of the firm of Eaton Bros. & Co., carriage and 
wagon manufacturers, at Dowagiac. In 1867, he engaged in 
traveling for a Chicago house, which he continued until 1871; 
then settled at Dunlap, la., and engaged in farming in Harrison 
township for three years, and in 1874 was appointed deputy sheriff, 
under J. J. Peck; was also constable, marshal and street commis- 
sioner of Dunlap. He is a member of J. G. Shattuck's detective 
association of Dubuque, la. He was married Dec. 17th, 1868, to 
Florence Thomas, at Dowagiac, Mich. He is a member of the 
I. 0. 0. F. lodge. 

D. B. Erisman, wholesale dealer and manufacturer of cigars 
and tobacco, factory No. 220; was born in Lancaster, Penn., in 
1844. He learned his trade there, and then established business in 
Lincoln, Neb., which he continued four and one-half years, and in 
July, 1881, established his present business in Dunlap, la. Keeps 
three men employed, and has a fine trade. 

S. D. Fox, of the firm of Fox & Dabelstein. dealers in an 1 manu- 
facturers of boots and shoes, was born in Manchester, Eng., in 
1847; learned his trade, and in 1869 came to America; located at 
Sylvania, 0., where he engaged in boot and shoe making. In 
1874 he removed to Bolton City, Col., and engaged 'in business; 
the next year came to Dunlap, la., and engaged in his present 
business and partnership. In 1875 he was married at Grand 
Rapids, Mich., to Miss Dabelstein, and has three children. 

A. H. Hazlett, M. D., was born in Richland county, 0.,in 1837; 
attended the Hayesville Academy, and in 1857 removed to Toledo, 
la., where he studied medicine with Dr. Baldy, In 1861 he en- 
listed in the 14th la. Lift.; Avas in a number of important battles; 
was promoted to first lieutenant, and discharged in 1805; returned 
tola, and located in Johnson county. He resumed the study of 
medicine, and engaged in teaching school until 1872, when he went 
to Iowa City and attended the medical department of the Iowa 
University, and the next year attended the Eclectic Medical In- 
stitute at Cincinnati, 0.. from which he graduated in 1874. He 
engaged in the practice of his profession at Grand Junction, la., 
until, 1878, when he moved to Dunlap, where he has established 
a large practice. In Sept., 1866, he was married to Miss Kibler. 
of Johnson countv, Iowa. 



350 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

R. B. Hillas, dealer in oreneral merchandise, was born in Vt. in 
1836: moved to Detroit, Mich., at an early age. He enlisted in 
the 19th 111. Inft.; was with the Army of the Cumberland, nnder 
Gens. Sherman and Thomas; was discharged in 1865; went to Chi- 
cago and was engaged in the house of J. V. Farwell & Co.; in 1876 
removed to Dunlap. la., and engaged in his present business, which 
was the first business house established in the town. The estab- 
lishment was destroyed by fire in 1873. His present store build- 
ing was erected in 1878, is filled with a fine stock of goods, and 
has merchant tailoring in connection. He has been a member of 
the city council several years. 

W. T. Howard, saddler and harnessmaker, was born in Mercer 
county. Pa., in 1816; moved to Fayette county. la., locating near 
West Union, in 1855. with.his parents, who engaged in farming. In 
1867 he removed to Kossuth county, and two years later to Deni- 
son, Crawford county; engaged for a time in teaching school at 
Dow City, and in 1870 removed to Dunlap, and engaged in his 
present business. He keeps three men employed, and does an ex- 
tensive business. He has been mayor of the city, and is a inember 
of the T. 0. 0. F. lodge and encampment. He was married in 
1870, at Denison, to Mary E. Eaton, and has one child. 

Walter Kavanaugh, proprietor of billiard hall and saloon, in 
basement of Lehan's Opera Block; established in 1879; entrance 
on first street, dealer in wines, beer, and cigars, and has two fine 
Brunswick & Balke tables. 

E. W. Lyman, of the firm of Chamberlain & Lyman, dealers in 
groceries and queensware, was born in N. Y. in 1850; engaged in 
milling until 1870, when he removed to Dunlap, la., and was in 
the employ of the C. and N. W. Ry. until 1881. when he engaged 
in his present business. He is a member of the I. 0, 0. F. order. 
In 1871 he was married in Dunlap to Miss Lowry. They have 
three children, 

Chas. Mackenzie, attorney at laAv, was born in X. Y. City in 
1815; removed with his pai-ents to Dubuque, la., in 1849; gradu- 
ated from Beloit College, Wis., in 1862, and the same 3'ear enlist- 
ed in the 9th la. Vol. Inft.; was in several important battles, and 
was discharged in 1875. He was secretary of a government com- 
mission in New Mexico one year; returned to Dubuque and was 
engaged as principal of the public schools of that city for one and 
one-half years, and was associate editor of the Dubuque Times one 
year; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1868; engaged in 
the practice of law, and in 1871 removed to Eldora; thence to 
Mason City, and in the spring of 1875 located at Sioux City and 
engag'ed in the practice of law with M. B. Davis, where he remained 
until Jan., 1881, when he removed to Dunlap. 

C. D. Mitchell, of the firm of Mitchell & Thompson, dealers in 
general merchandise, was born in Athens, 0., in 1842. In 1862 



1 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 351 

he enlisted in the 7th 0. Cav.; was in a number of important en- 
gagements, and was promoted to captain and assistant adjutant 
general; was discharged July 4th, 1865. and returned to 0., and 
in May, J 860, came to Harrison county and engaged in stock 
raising; in July, 1807, established his present business with H. C. 
Laub, of Denison; afterwards, Mr. L. retiring, he carried on the 
business alone, until forming his present partnership in Sept., 
1879. They carry a large stock, occupying the three floors of 
their large store building. Mr. M. is a member of the A. F. & A. 
M. order. 

J. T. Koonan, proprietor of the Dunlap meat market, was born 
in Va. in 1851; removed to Tenn. Avith parents, and in 1861 to 
Ky.; thence to Gal way, Ireland; remained seven years; returned to 
America; lived in N. Y., N. J., and Tenn., and finally, in 1872, 
settled at Dunlap, la., and for two years engaged in farming; then 
was employed in the meat market of Dunham & Guilford, and in 
1879 established his present business. He is a member of the city 
council; also the fire department; is president of the Ancient Order 
of Hibernians; was county delegate of that order in 1881, and is 
vice-president of the Dunlap land league. 

J. B. Patterson, of the firm of Patterson, Dally & Co., was born 
in Highland county, 0., in 1817; moved to Harrison county, la., 
1867; was engaged in clerking for R. B. Hillas two years, then for 
Mitchell & Laub eight and one-half years, and June 26th, 1879, 
formed his present partnership. He enlisted in the late rebellion 
in 1863, in the 18th 0. Lift.; was in several battles, and was dis- 
charged in the autumn of 1865. He was married in Oct., 1871, to 
Maggie Farren, and has three children. 

H. E. Pease, proprietor of Sheltered Twin livery barn, was born 
in Mich, in 1815: Avent to Chicago in 1860, and was employed as 
newsboy on the C. and N. W. Ky. for about eighteen months; 
then as brakeman in Tenn. during the war; then promoted to con- 
ductor, and at the close of the war, located at Jefferson, Green 
county, la., and was engaged in running dray, express, mail and 
delivery wagons until 1868, when he removed to Dunlap and en- 
gaged in his present business. He has been deputy sheriff two 
terms; also constable, street commissioner, and marshal of this 
city. He is a member of the Legion of Honor beneficiary insur- 
ance society. He was married in Dunlap in 1871 to Julia Ford, 
and has one child. 

Z. W. Pease, blacksmith and wagonmaker, was born in Bliss- 
field, Mich., in 1812; learned his trade at Adrian, and in 1870 
moved to Dunlap, la., and rented a shop and engaged in his present 
business, which has increased so that he bought the building 
in 1873, and in 1881 moved it back and erected in front a large 
two story shop with three forges; keeps three men constantly em- 



352 HIST OB Y OF IOWA. 

ployed. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. lodge and encampment. 
In 1868 he married Lizzie Francisco, at Blissfield, Mich. They 
have one son and two daughters. 

Dr. B. F. Philbrook, one of the oldest established dentists in the 
county, was born in Camden, Me., in 1853; removed with his 
parents to 0., and received his education at the Ohio Weslyan 
University, at Delaware; moved to la., and engaged in the practice 
of dentistry with T. E. Weeks, of Council Bluffs; reuiained eigh- 
teen months, and in April, 1870; located at Dunlap. He has one 
of the best fitted offices in the west, with Johnson's dental engine, 
extension instrument, bracket, surgeon's case of liquid nitrous 
oxide gas, for th^ painless extraction of teeth, the pedal lever chair, 
with which any position can be obtained for the ease of the patient 
and operator. He fills appointments at Logan the first Tuesday in 
each month, and remains three days, and also goes to Woodbine 
one day each month. He is foreman of the fire department of 
Dunlafj, and a member of the Royal Arcanum, beneficiary order. 
In Nov., 1879, he was married at Omaha, Neb., to Lucy Hartry. 

Frank E. Pike, dealer in agricultural implements, was born in 
Erie county, N. Y., in 1851; moved with parents to Sterling, III., 
in 1856; thence removed to Boone, la., and w^as employed as 
brakeman on the C. & N. W. Ry., for nine months; then was 
promoted to conductor, in Avhich position he continued until 1879, 
when he came to Dunlap and engaged in the grain and agricultural 
implement business in partnership with T. M. Clements. In Dec, 
1880, he purchased Mr. C's. interest in the machinery business, 
and a year later sold his interest in the grain business to Mr, C. 
Mr. Pike handles the best goods in his line that are made, and 
keeps constantly on hand a large stock. He is a member of the 
beneficiary insurance society. He was married at Carroll, la., Jan. 
1st, 1879, to Emma S. Town. 

J. H. Read, of the firm of J. H. Read & Co., bakers, grocers and 
confectioners, was born in Kendall county. III., in May, 1855; re- 
moved with parents to Bureau county, and in 1868, came to la., 
and located in Cerro Gordo county; removed to Dunlap in 1878, 
and established his present business; has oyster and ice cream 
parlors in connection; has Vernon's patent steam coffee and pea- 
nut roaster, and keeps constantly on hand new-made caudies. He 
is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and A. F. & A. M. lodges. He was 
married at Dunlap in Aug., 1879, to Miss Zimmerman. 

Issacher Scholfield, miller and proprietor of the Dunlap mills, 
was born in Delaware county, 0., in 1833; moved with parents to 
Wis., and located near Milwaukee, where his father engaged in 
milling, mercantile business and farming, and he in attending the 
Quaker Acadamy in Belmont county, 0.; and in 1853 engaged in 
land speculating in Marshall county, la., which he continued for 
three years; then entered into partnership with his brother, and 



HlSTOllY OF lOAVA. 353 

built a mill one and one-half miles north of Le Grand on the Iowa 
river; this he sold in 1866, ami built a mill on Timber Creek in 
Marshall county, which he sold in 1869, and came to Harrison 
county, locating permanently in 1871, and commenced building 
his present mill on the Boyer river. He has a fine stock farm , ad- 
joining the mill, of two thou -sand acres, and one of the finest conser- 
vatories in the w^est. He is also proprietor of the Dunlap Reporter. 
He was married May 7th, 1857, at La Grange, la., to Mary H. 
Hanks, who is a cousin of Pi-esident Abraham Lincoln. She is edi- 
tress of that portion of the paper devoted to home decoration, bv 
"Aunt Mary." 

C. H. Sears, proprietor of meat market, was born Jan. 6th, 
1852, in Knox county, III.; removed to DunL'ip in 1869; was in the 
employ of S. M. Williams, and afterwards with Mitchell & Laub; 
then engaged in farming for six years, and m Dec, 1881, purchased 
his present market of B. J. Moore. In 1875, he was married in 
III. to Ida C. Hickman. They have three children. 

L. A. Sherman, dealer in groceries, cjueensware, boots and shoes, 
was born in Fairfield, Vt., in 1854; moved with his parents to 
Texas in 1860, and in 1870 they came to Dunlap, and his father, 
J. H. Sherman, established the present business; in 1876 he be- 
came a partner with his father, and two years later bought him 
out; has been town treasurer one term, and is a member of the 
Iowa land league. In 1877, he was married at Elk Horn, Wis., to 
Fannie Sabine, and has one child, a daughter. 

D. P. Simmons, of the firm of Simmons & Co., dealers in hard- 
ware and agricultural implements, was born in Courtlandt county, 
N. Y., in 1849; removed with parents to Beloit, Wis., in 1854, 
where he attended the Beloit College; then traveled for Northwest- 
ern Paper Co., of Chicago; then for Booth & Hinman, of Beloit, 
and in 1873 engaged in the boot and shoe business. In 1879, he 
removed to Dunlap, la., and bought out the stock of Mr. Jackson, 
and with T. S. Simmons, engaged in his present business. They 
handle goods from the leading manufactories, and employ a first- 
class tinner. He is a member of the Morning Star lodge, number 
ten; also the A. F. & A. M. order. He is a member of the city 
council. In 1876 he was married at Kockford, 111., to Alice Early, 
and has one child. 

Geo. W. Thompson, of the firm of Mitchell & Thompson, was 
born Mar. 26th, 1842, in Whiteside county. III. He enlisted in 
Aug., 1862, in the 8th 111. Cav.; was in several important battles, 
and in Dec, 1863, was transferred to the command of Co. C, U. S. 
colored troops; was discharged in Dec, 1865, and returned to Mor- 
rison, III., and engaged in the study of law; was admitted to the 
bar in Nov., 1866. and practiced there until the spring of 1869, 
when he came to Dunlap, la., where he continued the practice of 
law, until the organization of the Dunlap bank in 1871, of which 



354 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

he was a stockholder and cashier; remained in the banking busi- 
ness nntil Sept., 1879, when he formed his present partnership. 
He has been chairman of the county republican central committee, 
and a delegate to state conventions, and is well known as one of 
the county's leading republican politicians. He is a member of the 
A. F. & A'. M., I. 0. 0. F., K. of P., and G. A. R. orders. Dec. 21st, 
1865, he was married to Susan Forrer, and has five sons. 

J. R. Wheeler, dealer in lumber and coal, was born in N. Y. in 
1831; removed to Eau Claire, Wis., in 1854, and engaged in the 
lumber business. In 1861 he enlisted in the IGth Wis. Inft.; was 
wounded in the face by a bullet at Shiloh; carries two gun-shot 
Avouuds in his legs, and received injuries at Atlanta; was discharged 
in April, 18(35; returned to Wis. and engaged in shipping lumber, 
and ]n Nov., 1866, established lumber yards at Denison and Wood- 
bine, and the next year established a yard at Dunlap. He sold the 
first lumber sold in Crawford and Harrison counties. He estab- 
lished a yard at Blair, Neb., in 1868. He has been a member of 
the city council of Dunlap for several years. In 1875 he was mar- 
ried in Fremont county, la., to N. E. Tyler, and has one child, a 
son. 

John Weed, contractor and builder, was born in 0. in 1825; 
learned his trade at Orrville, and moved to Mich. In 1850, went 
to Cal., and in 1853 returned to Allegan county, Mich., and worked 
at his trade five years; then moved to Kane county. 111.; engaged 
in farming until 1861, when he enlisted in the 8th 111. Cav.; was 
in numerous engagements, and July 20th, 1805, was discharged, 
and returned to 111., and worked at his trade until 1866, when he 
moved to Dunlap, la., there being at the time only one house 
where the city now stands. He was married in May, 1870, at 
Woodbine, to Martha Willey, and has three children. 

Tilton & Weeks, proprietors of livery, feed and sale barn, have 
stable room for thirty horses; board private rigs, and keep fine rigs 
for hire. They came to Dunlap from Ogle county. 111., in 1878, 
and engaged in farming until entering their present business in 
the spring of 1881. 

MAGNOLIA. 

Capt . George S . Bacon, farmer, was born in Cayuga county, N . 
Y., in Sept., 1825. He moved to Washington, D. C, where he 
attended the Columbia College; graduated in the regular course in 
1849, and afterwards taught in the College. He moved to Fair- 
mont, W . Va. ; thence in 1856 to Harrison county, la. , and located 
on the farm of one hundred and forty acres, where he now resides. 
On this farm is an extensive orchard of fifteen hundred bearing 
apple trees. He enlisted in 1862. was first lieutenant of Co . C . , 29th 
la. Inft., until the death of Capt. Fuller, when he was appointed 



k 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 355 

Capt. He was in a number of important battles, and was wounded at 
Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., left on the field for dead, captured and held 
in prison thirteen months. He was exchanged in May, 1865, and 
returned with the last lot of prisoners. He was discharged in 
August of the same year. He has been treasurer of Harrison 
county two terms. In 1850 he married Mrs. Caroline Murphy, 
at Magnolia. They have two daughters. 

RIVER SIOUX. 

B. F. Bonney, dealer in groceries, is a native of Pa.; moved 
to la . , in 1857; settled in Harrison county, and engaged in farming . 
He engaged in his present business in River Sioux in 1877. 

James Bowie, dealer in drugs and groceries, was born in Ire- 
land in 1821; came to America in 184:0, and located in 0. He re- 
moved to Little Sioux, la., in 1865, and in 1879 engaged in his 
present business at River Sioux . 

Henry Herring, dealer in general merchandise, was born in 
Adams county, Pa. ; moved to la. in 1857, and engaged in farming. 
In 1878 he engaged in his present business at River Sioux. He 
is also a dealer in hardware and lumber. 

R. Newton, agent for the S. C. & P. Ry. at River Sioux, is a 
native of N. Y. ; moved to Boone county, la.; in 1864; thence to 
Green county, and in 1868 settled in Harrison county. He was 
the first agent for this road, and billed the first freight on the road. 




356 HISTORY OF IOWA. 



O'BRIEN COUNTY, 



O'Brien County is the second from the west line and the second 
from the north line of the State, is twenty-four miles square, con- 
taining a superficial area of 576 square miles, and is divided 
into sixteen townships. 

The largest stream is the Little Sioux River, which crosses the 
southeast corner. Henry Creek rises in the northeastern part of 
the county, draining several townships, while Waterman and Mill 
Creeks flow through the central and southern townships, and are 
all branches of the Little Sioux. Floyd River rises in several 
branches in the northwestern part of the county, affording drain- 
age to several townships. The supply of timber is very limited, 
being mostly confined to groves on the Little Sioux, in the south- 
eastern corner of the county, and is chiefly oak, hickory, maple, 
elm and cottonwood. When protected from the fires timber 
grows rapidly, and many of the settlers have promising groves of 
planted trees. The soil of this region is exceedingly productive, 
and in its wild state produces luxuriant crops of native grass, 
which is excellent for pasturage or hay. The bottom or table lands 
along the streams, are composed of a deep, rich vegetable mold, on 
a sub-soil resembling clay mixed with gravel. The soil of the up- 
land prairies is the highly productive blufl' deposit of this part of the 
State, with a vegetable coating, and produces in great perfection 
all kinds of grain and vegetables. The surface is generally undu- 
lating, and susceptible of easy cultivation. There are no exposures 
of rocks ''in place," or in quarries, in the county, the only stone 
being the boulders that are found scattered over the surface, and 
are mostly granite, red-quartzite, with a few magnesian limestone. 
The material of the bluff formation is manufactured into very good 
bricks, and this, of course, is abundant. Excellent pure water is 
easily obtained in all places at a few feet below the sui-face. The 
great abundance of excellent wild grass and pure water renders this 
a fine region for stock-raising, especially where provision is made 
for winter shelter. In this, as well as other counties in this part 
of the State, settlers must plant trees to insure a future supply of 
fuel, and thus may soon obviate the necessity of depending upon 
coal shipped from other parts of the state. 

The first white settlers in O'Brien County were H. H. Water- 
man and family, who on the 11th day of July, 1856, located on 
the northeast quarter of section 26, township 91, range 39. They 
removed here from Bremer County, Iowa, but were formerly from 
the State of New York. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 357 

The county was organized in 1860, the first election being held 
at the house of H. H. Waterman, where the following first county 
officers were chosen: J. C. Fui-ber, County Judge; H. H. Water- 
man, Treasurer and Recorder; Archibald Murray, Clerk and County 
Surveyor. The first county seat was at a place called O'Brien, in 
the southeast corner of the county, where the principal settlement 
was made prior to the construction of the Sioux City & St. Paul 
Railroad. The first district court was held by Judge Henry Ford. 
The first religious meeting held in the county assembled at the 
home of pioneer Waterman, while Mrs. Waterman taught the first 
school at O'Brien. The first newspaper was the O'Brien Pioneer, 
connnenced by B. F. McCormack and J. R. Pumphrey. 

At the general election of 1872 a vote was taken on the question 
of the permanent location of the county seat, which resulted in 
favor of the geographical center of the county. Accordingly a 
town was laid out at that point, to which the name of Primghar 
was given. At the time the surveyors were engaged in the work 
of laying off the town plat, the persons present were Messrs. Pum- 
phrey, Roberts, Inman, McCormack, Green, Hays, Albright and 
Rerick. The initials of these names in the order given form the 
word Primghar, and hence it was agreed that this should be the 
name of the new town. The first house on the town site was 
erected by J. R. Pumphrey for county purposes. The next was a 
house of public entertainment, erected by C. F. Albright. 

Present County officers are: T. J. Alexander, Treasurer; J. L. 
E. Peck, Auditor; VV. N. Strong, Clerk; H. Sprague, Recorder; D. 
Algyr, County Superintendent; W. C. Green, Sheriff: J. H. Smith, 
Surveyor; C. Longshore, Coroner. 

Population of O'Brien County according to the census of 1880 
was 4,156. Its population is now estimated at about 5,500. The 
towns in the County are: Primghar, situated in the center of the 
county; Sheldon, in the northwest corner; Sanborn, seven miles 
east of Sheldon, in the northern part of the county; Hartley, in 
the northeast part of the county, |^and O'Brien, in the southeast 
part of the county. 

The Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad passes through the north- 
eastern edge of the county, forming a junction at Sheldon with 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which traverses the 
county east and west, passing through Sheldon, Sanborn and 
Hartley. 

PRIMGHAR. 

Primghar's closest railroad station is six miles, north, on the 
line of the C, M. & St. P., and its next nearest established station 
is Hosper, on the S. C. & St. P. R. R., some fourteen miles west. 

Primghar has been the county seat since 1872. It is located at 
the center of the county on a high and well drained prairie, twenty- 
five miles from Cherokee, twenty-eight from Spencer, and twenty- 



358 HISTOKY OF IOWA, 

eight from Sible^^ The place is Laid out with a public park, which 
has been planted with forest trees, and as it is surrounded by a re- 
gion of great fertility, will doulDtless continue a steady and a healthy 
growth. The town is in Summit Township. 

The following humorous acrostic, descriptive of the origin of 
the name of the town, has been published heretofore: 

P umplirey, the Treasurer, drives the first nail — 

R oberts, the donor, is quick on his trail, 

1 nman clips slily his first letter in, 

^I cCormack adds M winch makes the full Prim; 

(jT reen, thinking of groceries, gives them a (}, 

H ayes drops them an H, without askmg a fee, 

A Ibright, the joker, with his jokes all at par, 

R erick brings up the rear, and crowns all Primohar. 

W. C. Green built the first store in Priraghar in 1872. The 
first dwelling was built by A. H. Willets. The population is 
about 200. 

The present township officers are: J. Harris, T. G. Stewart, J, 
L. Rerick, Trustees; D. Algyr, Clerk; A. H. Willets, R. C. Tifft, 
Justices of the Peace; W. H. Willets, G. W. Ginger, Constables. 

Summit Township's first teacher was Clara Healy, who taught 
school in a building erected in Highland, and used as a store and 
postoffice by Mr. Paine. This building was moved to Primghar 
and used for a Court House. Afterwards it was used for a drug 
store; then as a printing office. This building has since been 
moved to Sanborn by A. H. Willets. 

The first paper printed in the county was conducted by L. B. 
Raymond & Co. 

AJschool house was built in 1874, size 40x00 feet; two stories high, 
with two departments. It is a handsome and substantial building. 

The memi)ers of the first Board of Education were: A. J. Ed- 
wards, President; J. T. Stearns, A. H. Willets. Present Board: 
W. W. Johnson, President: J. A. Smith, W. N. Strong, D. .W 
Inman, Treasurer; W. H. Willets, Secretary. 

The cost of the school building was 83,200. S. Harris is the prin- 
cipal. Miss Ive Inman, Assistant. The total enrollment is 59 pupils. 

The Court House was built in 1875, is 30x40 feet in dimensions 
with an addition, 10x14 feet; is two stories high, the upper part 
being used for the court room, and the first floor for offices. The 
cost was $5,000. The court yard is enclosed with a nice board 
fence, and the yard planted with a nice growth of soft maple trees. 

The Pn'mgJiar Times is a weekly paper, Schee & Achorn, pro- 
prietors. The first issue was January 12th, 1882. It is a seven- 
column folio, Republican in politics, and has a circulation of 600. 
Mr. Bundy is the editor. 

There are in Primghar, a general store, hardware store, agricul- 
tural implement store, bank, meat market, lumberyard, newspaper, 
hotel, furniture store, drug store, blacksmith shop, grocery and 
saloon. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 359 

At the Methodist Episcopal Conference in Sioux City, held 
October, 1871, the Rock Rapids Mission was organized." This 
Mission took in the counties of Lyon, Sioux, Osceola and O'Brien. 
Rev. Tra Brashears was put in charge of this mission. At that 
time there were two societies in O'Brien County, with a member- 
ship of about twenty people. The M. E. Society in Primghar was 
organized in 1873. C. W. Clifton organized the first society in 
O'Brien County in 1871. Present officers of Primghar Society: 
T. J. Alexander, D. Bysom, Mr. Robinson, Trustees. Membership, 
twenty-four. The Sabbath School averages an attendance of sixty 
pupils. D. Bysom is the Superintendent. The church was built 
in 1880 at a cost of 81,300, is 26x50 feet in dimensions. There is 
also a parsonage. 

AhiJI' Lodge No. 347, A. F. d- A. J/., was instituted in 1874. 
The charter was granted in 1875. Charter members: H. Day, 
A. H. Willets, Geo. W. Schee, D. H. Wheeler, E. C. Foskett, J. 
T. Stearns, J. C. Doling, W. Pursel, C. W. Inman, W. H. Brown, 
M. Dimon, A. B. Husted, S. J. Jordan. First officers: H. Day, 
W. M.; A. H. AViUets, S. W.; G. W. Schee, J. W.; D. H. Wheel- 
er, Treasurer; E. C. Foskett, Secretary; J. T. Stearns, S. D.; J. C. 
Doling, J. D. Present officers: A. H. Willets, W. M.; S. Harris, 
S. W.; D. Algyr, J. W.; E. C. Foskett, Secretary; T. J. Alexander, 
Treasurer. Membership, twenty. Meetings are held every Sat- 
urday on or before the full moon, in the Court House. 

SHELDON. 

This town was named after Israel Sheldon, who was a large 
stockholder in the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad. Sheldon is 
240 miles from St. Paul and fifty-eight miles from Sioux City. 
The country around Sheldon was settled several years before the 
town started. The railroad reached Sheldon July 3d, 1872. The 
first building was erected by S. C. Highly, for a saloon, in July, 
1872; the second, by H. A. Fife, in the same year, and was used 
for a store. B. F. Bushnell and D. A. W. Perkins erected build- 
ings the same year. 

There have been two additions to the town, namely: Islinville 
and Hicksville. The population of the town is 1,200. 

Sheldon is located at the crossing of the Iowa and Dakota Divi- 
sion of the C, M. & St. Paul Railway and the Sioux Cit}^ and St. 
Paul Railway, and in the northwest part of O'Brien county, fifteen 
miles northwest of Primghar. The Main street runs east and west. 
This street slo])es both east aild west from the center of the town. 

The depot was completed August 4th, 1872. The first dwelling 
was built by B. Jones in September, 1872; J. Wykoff followed in 
October of the same yeai'. The first newspaper was the Sheldon 
Mail, by Raymond, January 1st, 1873. He was followed by Per- 
kins, who was succeeded by J. F. Glover, the paper finally passing 
into the hands of its present editor and proprietor, F. T. Piper. 



360 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

The first school was taught by Columbia Robinson in L. S. 
Bradley's lumber office. This building was also used for church 
purposes. The first general store was opened by B. E. Bushnell; 
the ^^rst marriage was that of Mr. and Mrs. Thouias DeLong, in 
January, 1873, at the Sheldon Hotel, H. C. Lane, Justice of the 
Peace, officiating; the first birth was a child born to Mrs. James 
WykoflP; the first death, a child of Patrick Walsh; the first post- 
master was A. J. Buck; the first school house was built in 1873, 
and was taught by J. M. Webb. 

Sheldon was laid out and platted by the Railroad Company in 
1872. The town was incorporated in 1876. First officers: H. B 
Wynian, Mayor; L. F. Bennett, Recorder; J. M. Stephenson, S. 
W. Harrington, C. Allen, Geo. Boutelle, James Wykoff, Trustees; 
Geo. Hill, Marshal; E. F. Parkhurst, Assessor; H. C. Lane, Treas- 
urer; R. Dodge, E. M. Brady, T. Holmes, G. Haskman, J. L. Ken- 
ney, Supervisors. 

Present officers: James WykofF, Mayor; F. H. Nash, Recorder; 
W. L. Ayres, Treasurer; F. W. Houck, Assessor; D. McKay, 
Marshal; Geo. Hills, Street Commissioner; J. A. Brown, S. C. 
Nash, J. Shinski, D. S. White, Jr., H. S. Islin, F. Frisbee, Coun- 
cilmen. 

The Sheldon Mail, previously mentioned, is a seven-column 
quarto; Republican; circulation, 960 copies. The Sheldon Neivs is 
a weekly paper, started in June, 1879, with B. F. McCormack as 
editor and proprietor; it then changed to the hands of A. C. 
Satterlee & F. M. McCormack; then to A. W. Sleeper & Bro. Sub- 
sequently it was purchased by J. F. Ford, its present editor and 
proprietor. The Neirs is a se^ en-column quarto; Republican; 
circulation, 700. While run by B. F. McCormack, the paper was 
independent in politics; under Satterlee it was Democratic, and 
under F. M. McCormack it was a Greenback organ. 

The Sheldon Flouring Mill was built in 1879, is a frame struc- 
ture, 60x70 feet, three stories high, and cost about ^35,000; has 
six run of stone and four set of rollers; capacity, 200 barrels per 
day. The mill is furnished with the most modern machinery for 
manufacturing patent flour, and was built by J. H. Islin & Co. It 
is at present in the hands of Sleeper Bros. 

There are in Sheldon, three general stores, two hardware stores, 
two drug stores, two boot and shoe stores, one grocery,one clothing 
store, two agricultural implement establishments, three black- 
smith shops, two banks, three hotels, two meat markets, two 
saloons, two millinery stores, three grain elevators, one flouring 
mill, three restaurants, one barber shop, one merchant tailor, one 
jewelry store, two furniture stores, two newspapers, three lumber 
yards, two harness shops, two livery barns, two flour and feed 
stores, and two dray lines. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 361 

CHURCHES, SCHOOL-! AND SOCIETIES. 

KphcopaJ Society/. ^Organized in 1880 by J. H. and H. S. Islin 
and R. B. Arden. The first pastor was Rev. Hale Townsend, of 
Emmettsburg. First officers: I). C. Bothwell, H. S. Islin. and 
K. B. Arden. R. B. Arden is lay-leader. Services are held once 
each month. Lay-services are held three times each month, under 
charge of Bishop W. S. Perry, of Davenport. E. N. Toncey is 
Warden. There is a Ladies' Aid Society connected with this mis- 
sion. This society has a building in course of erection, which will 
be completed during the coming spring. The building will be 46x 
26 feet, and will have a steeple sixty feet high. The seating 
capacity will be ninety. The cost will be ^2,000. This church is 
situated in Islinsville, one of the additions to the town. The lot 
was donated by the C, St. P., M. & 0. Railroad in 1881. The member- 
ship is twenty. Services are at present held in the Congregational 
church. The present pastor is Rev. S. H. Johnston who came 
from England tAventj^-five years ago, and settled in Tennessee; 
then came to Sheldon, and took pastoral charge in 1881. He re- 
sides at Spencer, where he is in charge of "The Church in the 
House.' The subscriptions for building were furnished principally 
by Eastern parties, Sheldon giving generously according to her 
ability. 

Confiregational S.ociel ij . — Organized in 1874:, by Rev. Mr. Covey. 
The first pastor was Rev. Mr. Wiard, who was followed by Rev. 
J. A. Palmer. The present pastor is Rev. E. Southworth, who 
took charge in April, 1878. Membership, about forty. There is 
a Sabbath School also, with an attendance of about forty pupils. 
0. F. Young is the Superintendent. The chur -h edifice was erect- 
ed in 187-4, size 30x50 feet; seating capacitv, 100: plain frame 
building, cost over ^2,000. First officers: H. P. Holyoke. M. G. 
McClellan, W. C. Butterfield, Trustees. Services were held in the 
school house previous to the building of the church. Present offi- 
cers: W. L. Ayres, M. J. McClellan, A. W. Husted. Trustees; 0. 
F. Young, Clerk; A. B. Nash, Treasurer. 

Methodist Episcopal Society. — Organized in 1874: first pastor, 
Rev. J. B, Starkey; then in order following. Revs. W. B.Hastings, 
C. W. Bryan, W. M. Edgar. Present pastor. Rev. J. W. Lothian. 
Membership, about forty-two. There is a Sabbath School with an 
attendance of sixty pupils. F. H. Zander is the Superintendent. 
The church edifice was built in 1881. and dedicated September 
4th, 1881. It is a very fine building. 40x60 feet, with a seating 
capacity of 275, and cost 84,500. The society held meetings in 
Husted's Hall previous to the erection of this building. Present 
officers: J. A. Brown, 1). A. Elder, C. Hook, G. M. Graham, 
Trustees. There is a parsonage in connection. The Stewards are: 
F. Brown, D. AY. Wellman, F. Potter. 

24 



362 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

CnfhoJic Society. — Organized in the spring of 1880, byD. O'Don- 
nell, P. Gninther, Rev. J. Smith and J. Shinski. Rev. Father 
Lenelian, of Sioux City, first had charge of this Society; then Rev. 
Father P. Lynch. Rev. John Riley is the present pastor. First 
officers: D. O'Donnell, P. Gninther, J. Shinski, Trustees. These 
Trustees procnred a donation of three lots from the Sioux City & 
St. Paul Railroad Company in 1880. A building was erected in 
the winter of 1880 and 1881, 37x60 feet in dimensions. It is a 
frame building, seating GOO people. It has a gallery twenty feet 
Avide extending across the south end of the building. The cost 
was §2,500. The society previously held services in the school 
house, also in the town hall. Membership, about sixty families. 
Present officers: W. Gavin, J. Shinski, P. Gninther, Trustees. 

Independent School District. — Organized in 1876. It has a fine 
frame bnilding. containing four departments, which cost $5,300. 
First Board of Education:^ C. Allen, J. C. Elliott, A. B. Nash, J. 
A. Brown. The first term of school in the independent district 
was held in 1877. The first teacher was G. S. Mann: Kate O'Don- 
nell. Assistant. The building is furnished with the latest improved 
seats and apparatus. j^resent Board of Education: J. Wykoff, 
President; S. H. Ladd, E. A. Ward, Mrs. A. Morton. Mrs.'O. E. 
Waggoner, Mrs. Geo. H. Boutelle, Directors; E. C. Brown, Treas- 
nrer; F. E. Wyman, Secretary. The present teachers are: W. S. 
Wilson, Principal; Sarah Clark, Assistant; Mrs. F. C. Marcussen, 
Mrs. A. C. Green. The present school building was erected in 1879 
at a cost of building and furniture, of $5,300, is 40x00 feet in 
dimensions, two stories high, and has four rooms. The average 
attendance is 117. 

North iresf em Apricidfiiral Associaf/on. — Organized in February, 
1880. First officers: Henry HoUenbeck, of Sioux County, Presi- 
dent; R. F. Andrews, of Osceola County, Vice President; H. Cook, 
of Lyon County^, Secretar}^; J. I. Hartendower, of O'Brien County, 
Treasurer. This society extends over the four above iiamed coun- 
ties. The first fair was held in September, 1880, at Sheldon. The 
fair grounds are located here. Present officers: J. S. Kenney, of 
O'Brien County, President; J. R. Cook, of Lyon County, Vice Pres- 
ident; C. F. Wyatt, of Osceola County, Secretary; H. Holleubeck, 
of O'Brien County, Treasurer; D. S. White, of O'Brien County, 
Deputy Treasurer. A fair is held once each 3'ear. Forty acres of 
land have been leased for ten years, and are enclosed with a good 
board fence eight feet high. There are a half-mile track, floral 
hall, sheds, etc., etc. 

Mistletoe Lodge No 370. A. F. ((• A. .¥.— Instituted June 26th, 
1876. Charter 'members: H. B. Wyman, E. M. AVmslow, J. C. 
Elliot, J. A. Brown, S. W. Harrington, J. D. Bunce, E. A. Ward, 
J. A. Waggoner, R. Sturgeon. A. E. Frear, 0. A. Borden, C. J. 
Dunham, W. J. Newell, W. N. Strong. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 363 

First officers: H. B. Wyraan, W. M.; E. M. Wiuslow, S. W.; 
J. C. Elliot, J. W.; J. A. Brown, Treasurer; J. H. Greattrax, 
Secretary. Membership, thirty-three. Present officers: E. C. 
Brown, "W. M.; E. F. Parkhiirst, S. W.; E. M. Winslow, J. W.; 
B. Jones, Treasurer; A. M. Dougall, Secretary. 

Meetings are held once each month on the Saturday on or before 
the full moon, in Husted's Hall. The Society is in a flourishing 
condition. 

Locust Lodge No. 361, I. 0. 0. F. — Charter members: C. H. 
Cottell J. WykofF, W. C. Butterfield, D. Barmore, H. B. Wyman, 
0. E. Waggoner, Geo. Taylor, J, Morris, C. W. Green, G. Schee, 
J. H. Pumphrey, E. M. Brady. First officers: C. H. Cottell, N. 
G.; J. WykofP, V. G.; H. Humphrey, R. S.; D. R. Barmore, 
Treasjr^r; W. C. Butterfield, P. S. Present officers: Geo. Berry, 
N. G.; L. S. Hackett, V. G.; James Wykoff, Treasurer; N. F. 
West, R. S.; W. C Butterfield, P. S. Membership, thirty. 
Meetings are held Tuesday evenings of each week in Husted's 
Hall. The Lodgeis in a prosperous condition. 

Sheldon Cornet Band — Organized in 1876. F. C. Marcussen is 
the leader. 

SANBORN. 

The town of Sanborn was laid out and platted by the C, M. & 
St. P. Railway Company in 1878. The town has made a yery 
rapid growth, being now a town of 800 inhabitants. Quite a 
number of the settlers of Sanborn are former residents of Prim- 
ghar. The end of the division of the railroad is located here. Lo- 
cated here also are some of the best stock yards east of Milwaukee, 
as well as the railroad company's machine shops, employing quite 
a large number of men. There is also at Sanborn a large round 
house, with a vast amount of appurtenances. Thanksgiving Uay 
of 1878, the Avorkmen arrived, and commenced work on the depot, 
a building which is c^uite a credit to the town. 

The first house was built by Frank Teabout, and was used as a 
grain warehouse; the first store was opened by S. W. Clark in 
February, 1879; Teabout & Valleau opened a store about the same 
time. 

The postoffice was established in December, 1878, and was in 
operation early in January, 1870. The first and present Post- 
master is Ira Brashears. 

The town was incorporated in April, 1880, The first school 
house was built in May, 1879— size, 26x40 feet; cost, ^800, The 
first teacher was Mrs. L. Crossan. The first Board of Education 
was: Ira Brashears, President; W. M. Woolworth, Thomas Burns, 
Directors; I, AV. Daggett, Treasurer; J. H. AVoods, Clerk. The 
])resent school house was built in 1881 — size, 40x60 feet, two 
stories high, and has four departments . It was built at a cost of 



?6t HISTORY OF IOWA. 

$4,000, and is seated with the improved desks, &c • Sauborn be- 
came an independent district in 1881 . The present Board of Edu- 
cation is: M. D. Conies, D. L. Crowley, VVm. Harker. The 
present teachers are: Prof. C E. Foote, Principal; Jennie 
Mayne and Miss G- Davis, Assistants. 

The M. E. Church was organized March 28th, 1879, by Rev. W. 
H. Drake, who was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Beebe, he by the pres- 
ent pastor. Rev. S. C. Bascom. During the year 1879, the build- 
ing was erected and was dedicated June 20th, 1880. First officers: 
I. W. Daggett, T. J. Alexander, C. Tifft, Ira Brashears and Daniel 
Bryson, Board of Trustees, The cost of the church was .Sli^OO. 
Present membership, fifteen. The Sabbath School has an average 
attendance of fifty-five. J. H. Wolf is the Superintendent. The 
size of the building is 28x48 feet. The seating capacity is 200. 
The present officers are the same as given above. 

The Presbyterian Socieiij was organized January 30th, 1881, by 
Rev. W. S. Peterson, of Dakota. First officers: D. Miller, Elder; 
J. S. Grear, Trustee. The first pastor was Rev. J. M. McComb, 
who is also the present pastor. The membership is twenty. Pres- 
ent officers: D. Miller, R. E.; C. E. Foote, D. Miller, L. D. 
Thomas, Trustees; H. Day, Treasurer, and Mrs. C. E. Foote, Sec- 
retary. Services are held in the new school house. The present 
pastor took charge May 1st, 1881. The Sabbath School has an 
average attendance of forty. C. J. Everhard is the Superintendent. 
There is a parsonage in connection, which was built in November, 
1881. 

Onyx Lodge, U. D., was instituted October 22d, 1881. First 
officers: Harley Day, W. M.; J. H. Douglas, S. W.; J. T. Parker, 
J. W.; A. G. Mittels, Secretarv. Charter members: D. R. 
Phelps, T.D. White, P. Miller, J." A. Stocum, C. E. Foote, E. M. 
Bradv, A. G. Willets, C. Broadstreet, W. H. Skinner, H. D. 
Chapln, Ira Brashears, J. E. Drake, C. P. Veilie, F. Teabout, N. 
L. F. Peck, A. E. Bates, J. Morrell. Membership, twenty-five. 
Meetings are held every Wednesday evening on or before the full 
moon. The Masons have a fine hall, which is also used by the I. 
0. 0. F. The internal arrangement of the hall is as fine as can 
be found anywhere in the West. The hall is furnished in modern 
style, carpeted and hung with emblematic tapestry, and supplied 
with furniture that would adorn a wealthy lodge of that order. 

The Order of the Eastern Star was instituted in January, 1882, 
Mrs. H. D. Perry is Worthy Matron, and Mrs. A. G. Willets, Sec- 
retary. The membership is about thirty. 

Sanborn Lodge No. 434, I. 0. 0. F. — Instituted November, 29th, 
1881, by Hon. S. P. Leland, D. D. G. M._, and a large delegation of 
the order from Sibley and Sheldon. First officers: H. D. Chapin, 
N. G.; W. C. Green, V. G.; E. R. Wood, Recording Secretary; J. 
R. Pumphrey, Permanent Secretary; W. H. Skinner, Treasurer. 
Charter members: H. D. Chapin, William Roberts, E. R. Wood, 



HTSTORY OF lOAVA. 365 

J. R. Pumphrev, W. H. Skinner, C. Tifft, H. Alj^yer, C. Green, R. 
Boyd, L. D. Thomas, T. White, A. H. Roden, J. Clancy, F. A. 
Turner and Mr. Powell. The Lodge meets every Saturday even- 
ing in Masonic Hall. Membership, about thirty. 

Tlie Sanhorn Cornet Band was organized in the spring of 1881. 
Ed. Drake is the leader; has made various changes since its organ- 
ization. 

Tlie O'Brien Pioneer WeehUj, was established in December, 1871, 
by L. B. Raymond & Co.; was afterwards run by A. H. Willets; then 
Willets & Inman: then in the order named: Willets & Pumphrey, 
A.H. Willets & Son, A. G. Willets, Walker & AVillets— its present 
proprietors being Willets & Perkins. It has always been Repub- 
lican in politics. It is a six-column quarto; circulation, 750 copies. 
It is printed on a large steam power press in a good, commodious 
building. 

Sanborn can boast of having the best town hall in the county. 
It was erected by Messrs. Roden & Linden, at the corner of Main 
and First streets, in 1881. It is a frame structure, 32x70 feet, 
wilh a flat roof. The lower rooms are occupied by Henry Roden, 
as a restaurant and billiard hall. The hall up-stairs is arranged 
with a ticket-office at the entrance, and has a commodious and well 
adapted stage. The building and appurtenances cost about 86,000 

The Main street in Sanborn runs north and south, and is located 
on level ground. Sanborn is a good shipping point. The town 
has telephonic communication with Primghar. The business may 
be thus classified: General stores, 3; printing offices, 1; hardware, 
2; saloons, 3; groceries, 2; agricultural implements, 2: furniture, 
1; lumber, 3; jewelry, 1; blacksmiths, 2; drugs, 2; carpenters 4; 
bank, 1; land, loan and law, 4; flour and feed, 2; restaurant, 1; 
boot and shoe, 1; meat markets, 2; barbershop, 1; livery, 2; hotels, 3 

HARTLEY. 

Hartley is situated in the eastern part of O'Brien County, on 
the C, M. & St. Paul Railroad, eight miles from Sanborn and 
eighteen from Spencer. It was laid out and platted by J. S. Fin- 
ister in October, 1880. The first house in the town was built by 
the Railroad Company, in 1879. The first store was built by J. S. 
Finister & W. S. Fuller in April, 187U. It was also used as adwel- 
ing. Then came A. H. Miller. J. K. McAndrew, M. G. Silver- 
thorn, and W. H. Eaton, all of whom built in the year 1879. H. 
E. Hoagland built in 1880, Hartley is a thriving town, and has a 
population of 185. 

The first school was held in Finister's store in 1879 and 1880. 
The first teacher was 0. M. Shonkwiler; first Board of Education: 
W. S. Fuller, W. H. Eaton, C. A. Feitkaw. The present school 
building was erected in the spring of 1880, is 26x36 in dimensions, 
iind cost 81.200. The first teacher was Allen Crossan; first Board, 



366 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

the same as above. Present Board: C. A. Feitkaw, George Bowes. 
Present teacher: E. A. Thomas. Number of pupils enrolled, sixty- 
seven. 

The Baptist Societij was organized in December, 1880, by D. F. 
Johnson. Membership, about ten. This society is not supplied 
with any regular pastor, and has no building, but holds it prayer 
meetings in the school building occasionally. 

MetJiodist Episcopal Church Society was organized in 1881 by 
A. S. R. Groom, who was the first pastor. The first and jii-esent 
officers are: Allen Crossan, Class Leader and Steward; Mr. Whit- 
man and Mr. Dice, Trustees. R. Crosby is also at present a Trus- 
tee. Membership, about seventy-five. They have no church build- 
ing, but meet in the school building. This society built a parson- 
age in 1881, under the directions of Rev. Groom, at a cost of §300. 

HartlcD Lodge, I. 0. G. T., was organized December l28th. 1881, 
by F. E. Anderson, of Algona. Charter members: J. K. McAn- 
drew, D. F. Johnston, Allen Crossan, D. M. Gano, E. A. Thomas, 
H. E. Finister, James Johnston, George Bowes, W. Bowes, T. 
Shoemaker. First officers: D. 8. Johnston, W. C. T.; E. A. Thomas, 
W. V. T.; E. Finister, W. M.; Allen Crossan, Recording Secretary^ 

D. M. Gano, Financial Secretary; Will. Bowes, Treasurer; Geo. 
Bowes, Chaplain. Present officers: E. A. Thomas, W. C. T.; M. 

E. Silverthorn, W. Y. T.; J. Jones, R. S.; R. Makins, F. S.; D. M. 
Gano, Treasurer; Allen Crossan, Chaplain; W. Bcwes. W. M.; 
Mrs. D. F. Johnson. I. G.; Ed. Williams, 0. G. Membership, about 
thirty. Meetings are held Thursday evening of each week in the 
school building. 

. The business houses of Hartley are classified as follows: Gen- 
eral stores, two; hardware, one; hotels, three; blacksmith shops^ 
two; wagon shops, one; meat markets, two; lumber dealers, two; 
saloons, one; agricultural implement dealers, one; livery barns, one. 



O'BRIEN COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



SHELDON. 



D. M. Baker, proprietor of the Leland House, was born in 0. in 
1849; moved with his parents to Iowa in 1850. He came to Shel- 
don in 1881 and to:^k charge of the above named house. In 1870' 
he was married to Rachel M. Gilman, and has six children — Tena, 
Etta, Minnie, Arthur, Linda and Frank. 

J. A. Brown, proprietor of the Sheldon House, was born in Or- 
ange county, Vt.; moved to Iowa in 18(30. He enlisted in 1862 in 
Co. M, 3d 0. Cav., and was discharged at the close of the war. He 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 367 

then located in 111. and remained until 1807, when he went South 
and remained one year. He afterwards en<^aged in business in war 
rious parts of Iowa, and in 3 871 settled in O'Brien. He moved to 
Sheldon in ]S73, and engaged as above, 

C. H. Bnllis, of the firm of Barrett & BuUis, attorneys at law, 
was born near Rochester, N. Y., in 1847. He graduated from 
Yale College, in the class of '()9, and from the Columbia Law 
School in 1872. In 1873 he moved to Iowa, and located at Shel- 
don, in the autumn of 1881. 

Frank and Fred Frisbee, of the firm of Frisbee Bros., proprie- 
tors of the livery stable, are natives of Wisconsin; came to Iowa 
in 1871, and settled in O'Brien county. They located at Sheldon 
in 1876 and engaged in the livery and express business. 

G. M. Graham, lumber dealer, came to Iowa in 1850. He en- 
listed in 1862 in Co. B, 28th la. Vol., and served until the clo:'eof 
the war, after Avhich he went to Mich., and engaged in the lumber 
business. He returned to Iowa in the autumn of 1877, and lo- 
cated at Sheldon. 

A. W. Husted, hardware dealer, came to Sheldon in 1873, and 
was a member of the firm of Husted & Son, dealers in general 
merchandise, until 1879, when he engaged in his present business, 
with G. H. Boutelle. 

S. J. Hutchinson, boot and shoe dealer, was born in N. J. in 
1835. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. D, 100th 0. Vol.; was in sev- 
eral of the principal engagements, and was discharged in 1865. 
He came to Iowa and settled in Cedar county; thence to O'Brien 
county in 1871, where he engaged in farming until Oct., 1881, at 
which time he engaged as above. 

Jones, Parkhurst & Co., proprietors of the Sheldon Bank, which 
was established in 1872 by Messrs. Jones and Parkhurst. Mr. 
Brown became a partner in 1879. They are also dealers in all 
kinds of farm machinery. 

Henry Mandersheid, (saloon), was born in Germany in 1845; 
came to America when young, and settled in Jackson county, la. 
In 1872 he moved to LeMars; thence to Dakota. He returned to 
LeMars, where he lived until 1879. wiien he came to Sheldon and 
engaged in business as above. Mr. M. has been twice married. 
He was married to his second wife in Sept., 1881. She was Jennie 
Gusher. He has three children — Annie, Henry and John. 

D. McKay, farmer and marshal of Sheldon, is a native of Cana- 
da; moved to Cherokee, la., in 1870; thence to Sheldon in 1872. 

A. McDougall, freight and express agent, was born in Canada in 
1848; moved to Wis. in 1866; thence to la. in 1868. He has been 
in the employ of the C, M. & St. P. K. K. Co., for twelve years. 
He deals at wholesale in hard and soft coal. 



3G8 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

D. O'Doniiell was born in Ireland in 1881; came to America in 
1847 and settled in N. Y. He moved to Canada; thence to Wis., 
and in 1875 came to Iowa. Mr. O'D. started from Sheldon with 
an ox team for the Black Hills in 1877, and made the trip in forty- 
four days. He was married in 1850, and has nine children — John 
C, Kate, Maggie, Mary, Julia, Nellie, Edward, Annie and George. 

John C. O'Donnell, deputy sheriff of O'Brien county. He is 
engaged in blacksmithing. He was married in 1871: and has two 
children — Alice and Margaret. 

James Parden, proprietor of sample room and billiard hall, was 
born near Rochester, N. Y., in 18;37; moved to Sheldon, la., in 
1875. He occupies for his business the first building erected in 
Sheldon. 

L. 0. Peterman, agent for the American Express Co., was born 
in Ind. in 1853; moved to Winona county, Minn.; thence to Shel- 
non in 1881. 

Joseph Shiuski, dealer in general merchandise, was born in N. 
Y. in 1842. He is the pioneer merchant of Sheldon, having es- 
tablished business in 1873. He was married in 1875 to Ellen M. 
Kelley, of Sioux City. They have two daughters — Maud and 
Maggie. 

Henry Schultz, liquor dealer and proprietor of billiard hall, was 
born in Hanover, Ger., in 1846; came to America in 1866 and set- 
tled in Wis. He came to Iowa in 1870 and to Sheldon in 1876. 
He was married in 1876 to Katie Berbrein. 

Rev. E. Southworth, pastor of the Congregational church, was 
born in Mich, in 1834. He attended the Hamilton College, N. Y., 
and the University of Mich., at Ann Arbor. In 1866 he graduat- 
ed from the Theological College, of N. Y., and the same year en- 
tered the ministry. In 1871 he moved to la., then back to Wis., 
where he remained four years, and in 1878 came to Sheldon, la., 
and took charge of the church as above. He married Sarah H. 
Humphrey, and has three children — Mary E., Edward P. and C. 
DeForest. 

W. H. Sleeper, banker, insurance and land agent, was born in 
N. J. in 1853. He was for a time engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Mount Holley, in Philadelphia. In 1877 he came to 
Sheldon, la., and engaged in his present business, with his brother, 
A. W. Sleeper. 

Charles Stinson. of the firm of J. M. Comstock & Co., dealers in 
general merchandise, was born in N. Y.; moved to Algona, la., 
in 187J, and there engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. 
Comstock. They established business as above in Aug., 1880. 

S. M. Wagers, proprietor of the Citv restaurant, was born in 0. 
in 1838; moved to Wis. in 1856. He' enlisted in 1862 in Co. H, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 369 

Ttli Wis. Vol., and was discharged the same year, on account of 
physical disability. He came to la. in October. 1880. In 1863 he 
married Adelia Hayerman, and has two children — Edward and 
Mary. 

E. B. Wheeler, blacksmith, was born in Orleans county, Vt.; 
in 1868; moved to Cerro Gordo county, la., in 1868. He was one 
of the first settlers of Clear Lake. He came to Sheldon in 1880. 
and engaged in business as above. 

D. S. White, Jr., dealer in general merchandise, was l)orn in N. 
J., in 1853; removed to Omaha, Neb., in 1871, and was employed 
under the Superintendent of Indian affairs in Nebraska. In 1877 
he came to Sheldon, la., and engaged as above. He was elected a 
member of the city council in 1880. 

F. E. Wyman, proprietor of restaurant and dealer in fancy gro- 
ceries, is a native of Mass.; moved to Wabasha county, Minn., in 
1858. He enlisted in 1864 in Co. D, 140 111. Reg., and was dis- 
charged soon after. He came to Iowa in 1872. 

James Wykoff, the pioneer lumber dealer of Sheldon, was born 
in Ontario county, N. Y., in 1843. He enlisted in Dec, 1863, in 
the 50th N . Y . Vol . , and served until June, 1865 . He moved to 
Minn, in 1866; thence to la. in 1868. He came to Sheldon in 
1872, and engaged in business as above . His daughter, Inez, was 
the first child born in the city . 

F . H . Zander, proprietor of the Chicago Clothing Store, came 
to Sheldon in Oct., 1880, from Chicago, where he had previously 
been engaged in business . This is the only exclusive clothing 
house in the city. 

PRIMCtHAR. 

C. E. Achorn, of the firm of Schee & Achorn, bankers and land 
agents, was born in Me. in 1861; removed to Boston, Mass., with 
his parents in 1869; thence to Wis. in 1878, and the following 
year located at Primghar. He engaged in the above business with 
fereo. W. Schee, in 1881. He married Ada Alexander in Jan., 
1882. 

Charles F. Albright, farmer, Avas born in Pa. in 1839; removed 
to Muscatine county, la., in 1858; two years lattr he moved to 
Cedar county. He enlisted in the war of the rebellion, and served 
three years. He came to O'Brien county in 1871, and settled on 
homestead in the center of the county, adjoining w^hat is now the 
town of Primghar. He erected the first hotel here in 1873. He 
was married in 1865, to Adah C Mackelwain, and has two 
children . 

T.J. Alexander, treasurer of O'Brien county, was born in Tnd. 
in 1845; moved with parents to Wis. the same year, and to ^\ arren 
county, la., in 1859. He came to O'Brien county in 1869. and 



370 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

settled on a homestead in Liberty township. He was elected to 
his present office in 1878, and moved to Primghar; has been re- 
elected each term since. He was married in 1867, to Martha 
Brown, and has three children. 

David Algyer, county superintendent of schools, was born in 
Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1819; came to Clay county, la., in 
1871, and settled on a homestead. In 1873 moved to O'Brien 
county, and located at Primghar in'1880. He was elected to his 
present office in 1881. He married Marie S. Gowen in 1871. They 
have three children. 

Milt. H. Allen, attorney at law, was born in Winneshiek county, 
la., in 1859; removed with parents to Clay county in 1871. He 
came to O'Brien county in 1873, and engaged in the practice of 
law with 0. M. Barrett, in 1879. He opened an office in Primghar 
iul881. 

J. G. Chrysler, of the firm of Pumphrey & Chrysler, dealers in 
general merchandise, was born in Canada in 1858; removed with 
parents to Jackson county, la., in 1866; thence to O'Brien county 
in 1871 . He located at Primsrhar in 1875, and engaged in his 
present business in 1878. He married Ida Thomas in 1879, and 
has one child. 

J. B. Dunn, attorney at law, was born in Ind. March 5th, 1814; 
moved to Greene county. Wis., with his parents in 1846. He en- 
listed in Sept., 1861, in the war of the rebellion, and served three 
years and nine months; then located in Warren county, Iowa; re- 
moved to Primghar in 1880, and engaged in the practice of the 
law. He married Maria Hiett, in Nov., 1865. They have seven 
children. 

Stephen Harris, teacher, was born in Brunswick, Me., in 1842; 
moved with parents to Boston, Mass., in 1845. He went to sea 
in 1860, and in 1863 enlisted in the army, and served two years. 
He came to Iowa, in 1869, and settled on a homestead. He was 
elected superintendent in 1870, and county clerk in 1871. He 
moved to Primghar in 1874; was deputy treasurer for four years, 
and also engaged in the land business. 

D. W. Tnman, proprietor of the hotel at Primghar, was born in 
N. Y. in 1835; removed to 111. in 1837; thence to Butler county, 
Iowa, in 1858. He enlisted in 1864 in the 9th Vol. Inft., and 
served until the close of the war, when he returned to Iowa, and 
settled in O'Brien county in 1866. In 1879 he went to Primghar 
and engaged in his present business. 

W. W. Johnson, lumber dealer, was born in England in 1844. 
and the same year came to America with his parents, who settled 
in N. Y. In 1859 he moved to Cedar county, Iowa; thence to 
O'Brien county in 1871, and engaged in farming in Highland town- 
ship. He moved to Primghar in 1881, and engaged in his present 
business. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 371 

Thomas Murray, farmer, was born in Iowa in 1801; came to 
O'Brien county with his parents in 1871, and settled on a home- 
stead in Center township. He moved to Primghar in 1881. 

J. L. E. Peck, county auditor, was born in London, Canada, 
Aug. 18th, 1852; moved with his parents to Page county, Iowa, 
where he resided until graduating from the Iowa State University 
in 1871:, when he moved to Winneshiek county. He came to 
Primghar in 1877, and engaged in the practice of law. He was 
elected to his present office in 1879, and re-elected in 1881. 

Geo. W. Schee, of the firm of Schee & Achorn, was born in 
Clark county, Mo., in 1819; moved to Oskaloosa, la., in 1861 with 
his parents. In 1871 he came to O'Brien county and engaged in 
farming in Carroll township. He moved to Primghar in 1876, 
and was elected county auditor, in which capacity he served two 
terms; then opened a laud and law office, and became a member 
of the above firm in 1881. He married Lizzie Dunning, in 1877. 
They have two children. 

J. A. Smith, county surveyor, was born in Pa. in Oct., 1817; re- 
moved to Iowa county, la., in 1869, and the following year came to 
O'Brien county and settled on a homestead in (Jeuter township. 
He moved to Primghar in 1881. He married Mary E. Foust, in 
1870, and has five children. 

Hubert Sprague, county recorder, was born in 111., Jan. 1st, 1858; 
removed to Madison county, la., Avitli parents in 18(58; thence to 
O'Brien county, and engaged in farming. He served as deputy 
recorder two years, and was elected recorder in 1881. He was 
married in April, 1881, to Callie Green, of Clay county, la. 

H. A. Thaver, of the firm of Thayer & Co., dealers in hardware, 
was born in N. Y., April 29th, 1855. He went to Neb. in 1874, 
and remained six months; then located in Blackhawk county, la.; 
came to Primghar in 1878; was engaged in clerking until entering 
his present business in 1881. 

F. M. Tifft, proprietor of livery and sale stable, was born in 
Wis., Oct. 11th, 1857; removed with parents to O'Brien county, 
la., in 1870, settling on a hoiuestead in Center township. He 
moved to Primghar in 1876, and in 1880 engaged in business as 
above. He was married to Ellen Bobbins, Jan. 23rd, 1881. They 
have one child, a son. 

Frank A. Turner, cler>, with Schee & Achorn, was born in 111.. 
Oct. 13th, 1850; moved with parents to Butler county, la., in 
1859. He attended the college at Mt. Vernon from 1871 to 1876. 
Came to Primghar in 1880, and was employed in the Primghar 
Exchange Bank, where he still remains . 



372 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

HARTLEY. 

A. B. Chrysler, of the firm of Pumphrey & Chrysler, dealers in 
general merchandise, was born in Canada in 1818; removed to 
Jackson county, Iowa, in 1865; thence to O'Brien county in 1870, 
and engaged in farming in Liberty towns"hip. He came to Hartley 
in 1880, and engaged in business as above. He was married in 
1875, and has three children. 

Allen Crossan, of the firm of Crossan & Gano, hardware dealers, 
was born in Scotland in Jan., 1848; came to America with his pa- 
rents in 1852, and settled in Ohio; moved to Hardin county, Iowa, 
in 1805, and in 1870, settled on a homestead in O'Brien county. 
He graduated from the Normal School at Albion, la., in 1877, and 
in 1880 engaged in his present business. 

W. S. Fuller, of the firm of Shonkwiler & Co., dealers in lumber 
and stock, was born in 111. in 1814; moved with his parents to 
Wis. in 184(); thence back to 111. in 1857. where he remained until 
1867; then removed to Grundy county, la., and in 1871 came to 
O'Brien county, settling on a homestead. He moved to Hartley in 
1879, and engaged in merchandising until entering the above firm. 
He was married in 1869 to Nancy Wilson, and has two children. 

H. E. Finster, proprietor of the City Hotel, was born in Chicago, 
111., in 1848; removed to Mich, with his parents in 1854; remained 
there until 1864, and after traveling for some time, located at In- 
dependence, la., and engaged in marble cutting. He came to 
Hartley in 18S0, and engaged in business as above. He was mar- 
ried in 1870, and has three children. 

David M. Gano, of the firm of Crossan & Gano, was born in Ohio 
in 1840; removed with his parents to Ind. in 1846; thence to Wis. 
the following year. In 1870, he came to O'Brien county and set- 
tled on a homestead, and engaged in farming until 1880, Avhen he 
moved to Hartley and built the second house in the town. He 
was married in 1865, to S. Chamberlain, and has two sons and five 
daughters. 

H. E. Hoagland, lumber dealer, was born in Mich, in 1844; re- 
moved to O'Brien county, la., in 1870, and settled on a homestead 
in Liberty township. In 1878 he came to Hartley, and engaged in 
the lumber business with 0. M. Shonkwiler. He was married in 
1864, and has two children. 

D. F. Johnston, contractor, was born in New Brunswick, in 
1832; removed with his parents to Canada, and in 1855 came to 
Delaware county, la. He moved to Buena Vista county in 1873; 
thence to Hartley in the summer of 1881, and is in the employ of 
the railroad company. He was married in March, 1856, to Hep- 
zebah Joyce. They have seven children. 

F. E. Matott, proprietor of billiard hall, was born in Yt., in 
1848, and the following year his parents moved to Ind., where he 



HISTORY OF lOAVA. 373 

resided until 1871; then came to O'Brien county, and engaged in 
farming in Center township. He came to Hartley in 1881, and en- 
gaged in business as above. He married Emma L. Kiefer, in 1870. 
They have one daughter. 

J. K. McAndrew, proprietor of Our House, was born in Mil- 
Avaukee, Wis., in 1850; removed to Clayton county, Ta., with pa- 
rents, where he remained until 1870, when he came to O'Brien 
and settled on a homestead in Grant township. In 1879, he moved 
to Hartley, and engaged in the stock and grain business, and ship- 
ped the first car-load from the town. He married Mary E. Biggs, 
in 1875, and has one child, a daughter. 

0. M. Shonkwiler, lumber and stock dealer, was born in 111. 
Dec. 31st, 1853; moved to O'Brien county, in May. 1870, and en- 
gaged in farming in Center township. He moved to Hartley in 
1881, and engaged in the lumber business with Messrs. Hoagland 
& Fuller. He married Delia Griffith, in Oct., 1877, and has two 
children. 

E. A. Thomas, principal of the Hartley schools, was born in .Jo 
Daviess county. 111.; moved with parents to Mt. Carroll, in 1866, 
where he remained until 1875. He came to Hartley in Oct., 1881, 
and engaged in teaching. 

E. D. Williams, butcher, was born in Wales in 1831; came to 
America in 1850 and located in Mich.; two years later moved to 
Wis.; thence to Hartley, la., in 1880, and engaged in his present 
business. He was married in 1857, and has nine children. 

SANBORN. 

E. F. Bacon, of the firm of Bacon & Son, dealers in general mer- 
chandise, w^as born in Wis.; removed with his parents in 1864 to 
Waverly, la., and came to Sanborn in 1880 and established busi- 
ness as above, 

Wm. W. Barnes, proprietor of the Sanborn House, came to la. 
in 1869, and engaged in farming in Grant township, O'Brien coun- 
ty; removed to Primghar in 1876, and engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness; thence to Sanborn in 1878 and opened his present hotel. 

E. M. Brady, the pioneer hardware merchant of Sanborn, is a 
native of Ohio; came to Iowa in 1874, and engaged in the mercan- 
tile business; removed to Sanborn in 1879 and established his pres- 
ent business. 

Cal. Broadstreet, of the firm of Broadstreet & Boies, attorneys at 
law, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., in 1851; removed to Bu- 
chanan county, la., in 1857. He graduated from the Iowa State 
University in 1878. He began the practice of law in Sanborn in 
Oct., 1879. W. B. Boies, of the above law firm, was born in 



371 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Boone county, 111., in 1873. He graduated from the Iowa Law 
School in 1880, located in Sanborn in Dec, 1881, and began the 
practice of his profession. 

A. W. Creed, dealer in flour and feed, came from Ohio to Iowa 
in 1869, and engaged in the mercantile business; thence to San- 
born in 1880, and engaged in the hotel business; sold out in the 
fall of 1881, and engaged in his present business. 

Harley Day, attorney at law, was born in St. Lawrence county, 
N. Y., Mar. 27th, 1841. He served in the 106th Reg. N. Y. Vol., 
as lieutenant of Co. K, for three years. Part of that time was 
spent in rebel prisons. After the war he came to Iowa and located 
in Butler county; removed to Buchanan county; thence to O'Brien 
county in 1871, and settled on a homestead. He was admitted to 
the bar in that county in 1876, and engaged in the law and land 
business at Primghar. In 1880 he removed to Sanborn. He mar- 
ried Margaret Braden, in 1867. They have one child. 

I. W. Dagett, banker, was born in Franklin county, Maine, in 
1851; removed to Franklin county, la., in 1865, and engaged in 
teaching school; thence to Primghar in 1875, and engaged in the 
practice of law, and in 1877 entered the banking and real estate 
business, and removed to Sanborn in 1879, and engaged as above. 

Robert Elliott, merchant tailor, Sanborn, Iowa. 

C. J. Everhard, dealer in furniture, was born in 0.; removed to 
Sanborxi in June, 1881, and engaged in his present business. He 
is the inventor of the patent barrel painting machine, which is 
now extensively used by the Standard Oil company. 

n Richard Finlay, M. D., is a native of Canada; moved to Cincin- 
nati, 0., in 1863; graduated from the Ohio Medical College in the 
class of \80. He came to Sanborn in July, 1881, and began t.ie 
practice of medicine. 

fi^VV. C. Green, Sheriff of O'Brien county, was born in Jackson 
county, Ind., in 1812; removed to Carroll county. 111., in 1849; 
thence to Whiteside county, and engaged in the dry goods busi- 
ness. He moved to O'Brien county in 18G9, and engaged in the 
mercantile business in the town of O'Brien. He platted the town 
of Primghar, in 1872, and moved there in 1873, and in 1879 re- 
moved to Sanborn. 

J. L. Green, of the firm of Harkner & Green, bankers^ was born 
in 0.; moved to Wis. in 1847. In 1865 he moved to Marshall 
county, la., and engaged in the mercantile business. He established 
the Maple Valley Bank in 1878, and m 1880 came to Sanborn. 

J. Grant, proprietor of the City restaurant, is a native of Scot- 
land; came to America in 1879, and located in Sanborn Oct. 1st, 
1881. 



mSTOKY OF IOWA. 375 

L. C. Green, of the firm of Green & Patch, ])roprietors of the 
livery barn, was born in 111. in 1850: came to O'Brien county, la., 
in 1800, and engaged in the mercantile bnsiness with his brother, 
W, 0. Green. He moved to Primghar; thence to Ponca, Neb., 
where he engaged in the livery business. He came to Sanborn in 
1878, and engaged as above. 

W. H. Gunsul, farmer and dealer in blooded horses, was born in 
New York, lived a number of years in 111., and came to Sanborn 
in 1881. 

W. J. Hovey, attorney at law, was born in Boston, Mass., in 
1857; removed with parents to Buchanan county, la., in 1865. He 
removed to Sanborn in 1881, and began the practice of law. 

Frank D. Jenkins, proprietor of the Jenkins House, located in 
Sanborn in 1880. The Hotel is opposite the depot, is convenient 
for the traveling public, and they will receive first-class entertain- 
ment. 

W. T. Jones, the pioneer merchant of Sanborn, was born in 
Missouri in 1853; moved to Allamakee county, la., in 1855, and 
engaged in farming. In 1879 he removed to this place. 

J. Limback, proprietor of the Key City restaurant, w^as born in 
N. Y.; came to Sanborn ia Dec, 1881. 

Charles H. Perry, druggist, was born in N. Y. in 1857; removed 
to Bremer county, la., with his parents in 1858, and to Sanborn in 
1880, and engaged in his present business. He is about to remove 
his stock to his large new building, next to the Pioneer office. 

J. R. Pumphrey, dealer in general merchandise, and one of the 
proprietors of the Sanborn Tribune, w^as born in Ohio in 1815. 
He enlisted in the 1st W. Va, L. Artillery; w^as cjuarter master's 
sergeant. He served three years, and was taken prisoner at New 
Creek by Gen. Rosser, held five months at Libby prison, and ex-, 
changed at tr.e close of the war. He came to Sioux City in 1867, 
and was engaged in the county treasurer's and auditor's offices; 
removed to O'Brien county, and was elected county treasurer in 
1871; also founded the O'Brien Pioneer, w^hich he published three 
years. In 1873 he removed to Primghar, and engaged in the bank- 
ing and mercantile business; thence to Sanborn in 1881, and en- 
gaged in his present business. His father located in Richmond, 
Va., in 18G0; was pajmiaster in the U. S. A. daring the late war, 
and was lost from a steamer between St. Louis and Island Num- 
ber Ten in 1861, while on his way south to pay Gen. (irant'sarmy 
at Vicksburg. 

P. H. Roden. restaurateur, was born in Germany in 1838: came 
to America in 18(31, aud enlisted in Co. B, 37th (). regiment, and 
served until 1803. He engaged in the cooper business in Apple- 
ton, Wis.; removed to Cherokee, la., in 1869, and engaged in farm- 
ing; thence to Sanborn in the spring of 1881. 



376 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

J. P. Selig, proprietor of the Star restaurant, was bom in West 
Va. in 185G; moved to Iowa in 1871, and settled near Sheldon; re- 
moved to Sheldon in 1879, and established the City restaurant; 
came to Sanborn in 1881, and engaged in his present business. 

Charles Smith, M. D.. was born in Middlesex county, Mass. In 
1861 he enlisted as bugler in Gen. Sickles' brigade, and served until 
1863. After the war he located at Washington, D. C, and was 
employed in the treasury department as messenger to Secretary 
McCullough. He graduated from the National Medical College in 
1876, and engaged in the practice of medicine in Washington, D. 
C; remained eighteen months, and then removed to Sanborn. 

G. D. Williams, manager for the Oshkosh lumber company at 
Sanborn; established in 1881: dealers in all kinds of builders' sup- 
plies and fencing material. The only first-class lumber yard in 
town. 




HISTORY OF IOWA. 



OSCEOLA COUNTY. 



Osceola County is in the northern tier, and second from the 
western boundary of the State, and contains 392 square miles, or 
250,880 acres. It is watered and drained l)y the east fork of Ruck 
River, Ocheydan, Otter and sev^eral smaller creeks. These streams 
.meander through valleys of great fertility, producing luxuriant 
crops of excellent grass. The soil is generally a dark loam, with 
a slight mixture of clay on the table lands, and a small quantity of 
sand and vegetable mould in the valleys. Osceola is emphatically a 
prairie county, composed of a gently undulating surface, suffic- 
iently rolling to break the monotonous sameness of the level plain, 
with a rich inexhaustible soil, yielding an abundauce of crops. 
There is but little timber in the county, though it is sufficiently 
plenty for fuel. Stock raising here, as in adjoining counties, is 
an imporant and lucrative industry. Though one of the younger 
counties, it is fast taking rank with the larger and more populous 
ones in the northwest quarter of the State. The schools in the 
county are in a flourishing condition, every township and sub-dis- 
trict having a school house. There are at present forty-five frame 
school houses in the county, and during the year 1881, according 
to the report of the State Superintendent, -^11,300 were expended 
for school purposes, and according to the census taken during the 
same year by the secretaries of the various sub-districts, there were 
746 children of school age, of whom 602 were enrolled as atten- 
dants upon the public schools. Schools, are in session, on an aver- 
age, six months in the vear. 

Capt. E. Huff was the first white man who settled in the county, 
coming in the fall of 1870, and locating on Otter Creek, in the 
southwestern part of the county. He did not remain over winter, 
but returned to his claim the following spring, 1871. He was 
accompanied by C. M. Brooks, D, L. McCausland, W. W. Webb, 
F. Stiles, M. J. Campbell and A. M. Culver, all of whom located 
claims. All the vacant lands were soon taken up, either by 
homesteading or pre-empting. The county was organized in 1871, 
having been previously attached to Woodbury County for revenue 
and judicial purposes, the latter connection being still maintained. 
The first election for county officers was held October 10th, at 
the house of A. M. Culver, when the following officers were 
elected: F. M. Robinson, Auditor; A. M. Culver, Treasurer; C. 
M. Brooks, Clerk of Courts, D. L. McCausland, Recorder; Frank 
Stiles, Sheriif; Delila Stiles. Superintendent of Schools; John 
Beaumont, Drainage Commissioner, and J. H. Winsherr, George 
Spaulding and H. R. Fenton, Board of Supervisors. 



25 



37S HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The present officers are: R. S. Hall, Treasurer; W. M. Moore, 
Auditor; H. N. Moore, Deputy Auditor; Alice C. Hill, Recorder; 
J. S. Davissou, Clerk of Courts; H. N. Moore, Deputy Clerk of 
Courts; J. R. Elliott, County Superintendent; J. B. Lent, Sheriff; 
M. J. Campbell, Surveyor; W. H. Burkhuft\ Coroner; G. S. Down- 
end, Robert Stamm, H. C. Allen, Wm. Mowthorpe. W. Boor, 
Board of Supervisors. 

The population of the county, as given by the census of 1880, 
was 2,219, but as there has been an uninterrupted tide of immi- 
gration to the county since, its present population is fully 3.000. 

The Sioux Cit}^ & St. Paul Railroad enters the coimty near the 
center of section 9, in township 100, range 41, about Sh miles west 
of the center of the north line of; the county, and takes a diagonal 
course across the county, leaving it near the center of the south 
line of section 33, township 98, range' ^2, about 9h miles west of 
the center of the south line of the county. The road-bed was 
graded through the county during the summer of 1871. The track 
was laid early in the summer of 3 872, being completed through to 
LeMars in July, 1872, at which time the trains commenced run- 
ning regularly. 

SIBLEY. 

Sibley, the most important as well as the oldest town in the 
county, was laid out and platted by the Sioux City & St. Paul 
Railroad Company in October, 1872, though several houses had 
been built on the town-site previous to its being platted, as early 
as 1871, the first belonging to F. M. Robinson, one of the pioneer 
settlers. The first business house was erected in the fall of 1871, 
by H. R. Rogers, who put in a stock of general merchandise. 

The toAvn was incorporated in 1876, and its first officers were: 
D. L. Riley, Mayor; C. E. Brown, H. S. Brown, H. S. Emmett, D. 
Cramer, G. S. Murphy, Trustees. The present city government is 
composed of D. L. Riley, Mayor; D. D. McCallura, Recorder; L. 
Shell, Treasurer; J. B. Lent, Assessor; W. P. Rhodes, Street Com- 
missioner; C. M. Richai'ds, Marshal; L. Shell, M. J. Campbell, H. 
C. Hungerford, E. Huff. N. Neill, H. S. Brown, Trustee^. 

The county seat was located at Sibley in 1872 by the following 
Commissioners appointed from adjoining counties, to-wit: Carson 
Rice, of Dickinson; C. W. Inman, oE O'Brien; and J. S. Howell, 
of Lyon. The principal streets run east and west, most of the busi- 
ness houses being located thereon. Sible3^'s business establish- 
ments, briefly classified, are as f( Hows: 

Drug and groceries, 2; general stores, 3; millinery, 2; harness, 2; 
agricultural implements, 3; blacksmith shops, 3; wagon shops, 1; 
lumberyards. 3; meat markets, 2; shoe shops, 1; hotels, 3; billiard 
hall, 1; printing offices, 2; banks,2; abstract and loan, 1; insurance, 
6; barber shop, 1; grocery store, 1; hardware, 3; jewehy, 1; livery 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 379 

stable, 1; butter, wood and hide depot, 1; restaurant, 1; stationer, 
1; furniture, 1; grist mill, 1; photograph galleries, 2; book store, 1; 
elevators, 2; law firms, 3; physicians, 2; dentist, 1. 

The population of Sibley is now estimated at from 500 to GOO, 
including East Sibley. 

TheSiblcij Gazette, the first, and until 1883, the only newspaper 
published in the county, was estal)lislied by L. A. Barker, and the 
first paper was issued in July, 1872. In May, 1873, it passed into 
the hands of Riley & Brown, who continued it for about three 
months, when they disposed of it to Craig & Glover. In July, 
1874, Mr. Craig retired, the firm becoming Glover & Hauxhurst, 
they continuing it until the fall of 1875, when W. B. lieed pur- 
chased the interest of Mr. 'Glover, and they published it until 
March, 1876; when Haitxhurst retired, and Ira C. Edward assumed 
the management of the papei. Later in the year, the paper got 
back into the hands of its former proprietors, Messrs. Reed & 
Glover, but the partnership continued only a few months. Reed 
retiring. Glover remained as proprietor nntil the fall of 1877, 
when he sold out to George Carew, who conducted it until Octo- 
ber, 1879, and then disposed of it to D. A. W. Perkins. Six 
months later, 0. M. Foster purchased a half-interest in it, and the 
following April, he became sole proprietor. During the same 
month, however, he disposed of it to George Carew, who has con- 
tinued its publication ever since. Notwithstanding the many 
changes in its proprietorship, usually so fatal to newspapers, it has 
been enlarged several times, and is now a seven-column quarto. 
The Gazette is Republican in politics, carefully edited, and a jour- 
nal in every way creditable to the count3^ It has a circulation of 
about 400 copies. 

September 29th, 1881, the SihJetj Tribune made its appearance, 
with Charles E. Crosby as editor and proprietor. It is an eight- 
column folio. Republican in politics, ably edited, and devoted to 
local interests of Osceola county. It has a circulation of 400. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Tlie Coiufregational Church Societ>j. — Organized in 1872, by 
Rev. B. A. Dean. He was succeeded by Rev. D. J. Baldwin, Avho 
continued in charge until 1881, when he in turn was succeeded by 
Rev. Thomas Pell, the present pastor. The church has a mem- 
bership of forty. There is also a Sabbath School with an average 
attendance of forty pupils. C. M. Bailey is Superintendent. Rev. 
Mr. Pell also has charge of two societies in the country. The 
church building is located on two lots donated by the railroad 
company in 1874, and was erected in the fall of the same year at a 
cost of §1,800. It is a frame building, of semi-gothic style, 32 
feet by 40 feet in dimensions, with a seating capacity of 200. It is 
nicely furnished and has a good organ. At the time of the dedica- 



380 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

tion, November 29tli, 1874, the buiklino^ was entirely free of debt. 
There is also in connection with the church a comfortable parson- 
age. The present officers of the society are: 0. Dunton, Clerk; 
Samuel Herbert, B. Wood and J. F. Glover, Trustees. 

Baptist Church Society. — This society was partially organized 
in March. 1873, by Rev. W. Wood, of Cedar Falls, with a mem- 
bership of twelve persons. A permanent organization was effected in 
February, 1876. The first officers were: T. 0. Wilbern, A. 
Churchill, A. W, Mitchell, Deacons. The first pastor was Rev. T. 
H. Judson, followed by E. M. Hey burn, the present pastor, who 
took charge in 1880. Membership, forty. This society has no 
building of its own, but holds its services in the school house. The 
Sabbath School has an average attendance of twenty-five: T. 0. Wil- 
bern is the Superintendent; C. D. Wilbern, Secretary and Treasurer. 
Church officers: T. 0. Wilbern, Deacon; C. D. Wilbern, Secretary, 
J. F. Glover, Trustee. 

Methodist Episcopal Society. — Organized in April, 1872, at the 
house of A. M. Culver. The first quarterly conference of the Sib- 
ley Mission was held October 5th, 1872, by Rev. Aldrich. Rev. 
John Webb was appointed the first pastor, and was succeeded by 
Rev. Ira Brashears, September 20th, 1873. The church was served 
successfully, by Revs. W. W. Mallory, J. W. Rigby, J. W. 
Lothian and S. P. Marsh, the present pastor, who took charge in 
September, 1880. Membership, 120, including a class in the 
country. The first officers of the first class were: R. Stamm, 
Class Leader; L. Shell, William Thomas, E. Morrison, D. L. Riley, 
L. C. Chamberlain and S. C. Vanhorn, Stewards; J. P. Hauxhurst 
and B. Davis, local pastors; J. L. Robinson. M. J. Campbell, A. M. 
Culver, R. Stamm, L. Shell, D. L. Riley, H. K. Rogers, Trustees. 
Present officers: J. P. Hauxhurst, Class Leader; D. L. Riley, L. 
Shell, W. M. Moore, E. Huff and S. A. Wright, Stewards; D. L. 
Riley, R. Stamm, Levi Shell, S. A. Wright, W. M. Moore, Trus- 
tees; B. Davis, Local Deacon. The society has a fiourishing Sab- 
bath School with an attendance of seventy pupils; number of 
teachers, fifteen; S. P. Marsh, Superintendent. There is also a 
commodious parsonage in connection with the church. The M. E. 
church building is located on two lots just west of, and fronting 
eastward towards, the Court House Square. These lots were do- 
nated by the S. C. & St. P. Railroad Company, in the spring of 

1873. The building is 32x50 feet. The building was commenced 
in the spring of 1873, but was not completed until September, 

1874. when it was dedicated. It cost S2.200, and is well furnished. 
Catholic Society. — Celebrated Mass in Sibley as early as 1873, Rev. 

Father B. C. Lenehan, of Sioux City, officiating. The society now 
comprises some sixty families, and services are'regularly held every 
two weeks in the Court House. The society is now in charge of 
Father Thomas Riley, of Sheldon, who contemplates the erection 
of a substantial and commodious church building at an early day. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 381 

The Public School huUdinq is located on two lots fronting west- 
ward towards the Court House square, donated by the railroad 
company. The building is 22x36 feet, and was erected in May, 

1872, at a cost of f?3,500, and has a seating capacity of one hun- 
dred. W. A. Armine, assisted by Miss Flora Reeves, now has 
charge of the school, which has an average attendance of ninety 
pupils. The present Board of Education is composed of D. L. Ri- 
ley, Levi Shell and T. 0. Wilbern. The first school taught in the 
county was taught by Delila Stiles, who was also the first Super- 
intendent of Schools^ in 1871. Sibley remained a sub-district of 
Holraan Township until 1878, when it became an independent dis- 
trict. The first School Board of the new district, was composed 
of C. M. Bailey, Levi Shell and A. W. Mitchell. 

Brohen Column Lodge No. 331, A. F. dt A. M. — Instituted June 
3d, 1871, with a membership of ten. The following are the char- 
ter members, and also first officers: R. J. Chase, W. M.; J. M. 
Jenkins, S. W.; J. Griffith, J. W.; D. G. Shell, Treasurer; G. S. 
Murphy, Secretary; J. C. Miller, S. D.; C. N. Sawyer, J. D.; W. 
H. Cooper. Tyler;' B. F. Tabler, S. S.; S. H. Wescott, J. S. Pres- 
entofficers; J. B. Lent, W. M.; W. B. Humphrey, S. W.; W. H. 
Chambers, Treasurer; B. F. Tabler, Secretarv; H. Littlechild, S. 
D.; Cline Bull, J. D.; W. Mead, Jr., Tyler; G. A. Pitman, S. S.; 
J. Q. Miller. J. S. The present membership, about forty. Meet- 
ings are held once each month in the Hall of the society over Wil- 
bern's store. The society is in a flourishing condition, and has 
recently purchased a lot, upon which they contemplate erecting a 
new Hall at an early day. 

Ocheijdnn Lodge No. 251, I. 0. 0. F. — Instituted in October, 

1873. First officers: D. L. Riley, N. G.; F. M. Robinson, V. G.; 
€. M. Bailey. R. S.; C. H. Call, P. S.; W. M. Cram, Treasurer. 
Present officers: Cline Bull, N, G.; C. W. Jenkins. Y. G.; J. S. 
Davisson, R. S.: D. D. MeCallum, P. S.; A. W. Mitchell, Treas- 
urer. Membership, fifty. Meetings are held every Monday even- 
ing in the hall over Wilbern 's store. This society is in a prosper- 
ous condition, and will soon commence the erection of commodious 
quarters of their own. 

Pioneer Agricidtnral Society. — Organized in 1872. The first 
officers were: L. G. Ireland, President; C. Dunton, Vice-President; 
E. Hogin, Secretary; F. M. Robinson, Treasurer; H. Jordan, J. F. 
Van Emburg and E. Huff, Directors. The society was incor- 
porated and adopted constitution and by-laws in July, 1872. The 
first fair was held October 10th and 11th, 1872, in Court House 
Square. The present officers are: P. L. Piesley, President; J. 
W. Carson, Vice-President; S. A. Wright, Secretary; W. J. 
Miller. Treasurer; P. Proper, J. Cronk, G. S. Downend, J. 
Streit and H. Peters, Directors. The society is free of debt, with 
money in the treasury, and owns a tract of twenty-five acres one- 



382 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

half mile northwest of Sibley, enclosed by a substantial fence. 
On the grounds are a commodious floral hall, and a fine half-mile 
track. Fairs are held annually, and are largely attended. 

SihJeij Coynct Band. — Organized in 1873, and is a creditable or- 
ganization. C. Armbright is the Leader. 

The Court House is located on the most elevated portion of the 
townsite, and was erected in the fall of 1872, at a cost of about 
$5,000 . The building is 36 feet by 36 feet, 20 feet high, and affords 
comfortable and commodious quarters for the county ofiicials. 
The block on which the building is situated was the gift of the 
railroad company, who also generously set aside an additional 
block, centrally located, for a public park. The railroad depot at 
Sibley is 24 feet by 18 feet in dimensions, and is substantially built, 
as are all the buildings along the line of the Chicago, St. Paul, 
Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad. The company has acted most 
generously with the town of Sibley, and has, by its liberal dona- 
tions of lots for school, church and court house purposes, done 
much towards the upbuilding of the town. 

ASHTON. 

Ashton, until recently called St. Gilman, is situated seven miles 
southwest of Sibley, on the line of the C, St. P., M. & 0. Rail- 
road. It is surrounded by an excellent agricultural district, and 
gives promise of becoming aii important shipping town . It now 
has several general stores, a public school, two or three church 
societies, a good depot building and a grain warehouse. 



OSCEOLA COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



SIBLEY. 



Chas. A. Armbright, barber, was born in Germany; came to 
America in 1856; located in N. Y., and the same year enlisted in 
the 5th U. S. cavalry of the regular army. He was on duty in 
Texas, until the war of the rebellion, when he was oidered to Pa. 
for active service. He re-enlisted in 1863 as a veteran, and served 
until the close of the war. He came to Sibley in 1872, and en- 
gaged in his present business. 

C. E. Brown and W. H. Chambers, of the firm of Brown & Cham- 
bers, dealers in general merchandise, are natives of Wis. They 
came to Sibley, in 1874, and engaged in their present business with 
a small capital; are now one of the leading firms in the county, and 
carry a complete stock of about 115,000. 



HISTORY OF lOAVA. 383 

J. Brooks, came from Ind. to Butler county, la., in 1852. He 
enlisted in 1862 in Co. H, Ta. Vol.; was in the service three 
years, fourteen months of which time he was a prisoner of war at 
Tyler, Texas. He was wounded at Fort Pillow, Tenn. At the 
close of the war he returned to la. In 1872 he located in Osceola 
county, and in Sibley two years later, and engaged in the nursery 
business. He has now retired from business. 

J. S. Davisson, clerk of the courts, was born in Vt. in 1845. He 
came to Iowa and enlisted in Co. I, 9th la. Cav. in 1863; served 
until 1866: then returned to Iowa and settled in Washington 
county; removed to Osceola county in 1872, and to Sibley in 1880, 
and entered into business as a contractor and builder. 

John H. Douglass, sheritf of Osceola county, was born in Scot- 
land; came to America with his parents, and settled in 111.: re- 
moved to Allamakee county, la., in 1856. He enlisted in 1862 in 
the U. S. regular army as drummer, and afterwards in the 1st la. 
Cav.; and served until the close of the war; then returned to la. 
He was engaged m various kinds of business, until 1872, when he 
was elected to his present otSce; is also engaged with the Iowa 
land company as superintendent of outside business, renting and 
looking after the interests of the firm in Osceola county. Mr. D, 
has the reputation of being one of the best criminal officers in the 
state. 

J. F. Glover, attorney at law and land agent, was born iji Union 
county. Pa., in 1815; moved with parents to Stephenson county, 
111., in 1816. In 1868 he enlisted in the 38th Wis. Vol. Lift.; 
was promoted to orderly sergeant, and commissioned second lieu- 
tenant. He graduated in the classical course, at the University of 
Wis., in 1871, and soon after located in Osceola county. In 1872 
he was elected clerk of the courts, and in 1875 was elected to the 
state legislature, for the counties of Clay, Dickinson, Osceola and 
O'Brien. He Avas admitted to the bar in 1878. During his resi- 
dence in Sbiley he was for several years engaged in editing the Sib- 
ley Gazette. 

F. F. & H. S. Grant, of the firm of Grant Bros., dealers in gen- 
eral hardware, are natives of Wis.; came to Sibley, la., in Feb., 
1881, and engaged in their present business. H. S. is business 
manager of the store at Sibley, and F. F. is the northwestern 
traveling agent for Grey, Burt & Kingman, of Chicago, 111. 

J. C. Hanon, proprietor of the Sibley House, is a native of Vt.; 
removed at an early age to Cincinnati, 0. He followed railroading 
for a time; removed to la. in 1871, and in 1873 came to Sibley. He 
engaged in the hotel business in 1867, and has a first-class house 
and accommodations. 

C. I. Hill, (deceased), late banker of Sibley, was bovn in 0. in 
1843; removed to Sioux City, la., in 1870: thence to Sibley in 
1872, and engaged in the real estate and laAv business. He en- 



3S4 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

gaged in the banking business in 1S76 which he continued two 
years. He retired from business on account of ill-health, and died 
in March, 1881, leaving a wdfe and one child — Eva. Mrs. Hill is 
a daughter of D. M. Sturges, of Vermillion, Dak. 

Capt. E. Huff, land agent, came to Fremont county, la., from 
Ind. in 1856. He enlisted in 1861, in Co. A, 4th U. Cav.. and 
served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner in Dec, 
1861, and confined in Andersonville prison for three months. Af- 
ter the war he returned to la., and in 1870 settled in O'Brien 
county; w^as the first settler of the county. He moved to Sibley 
in 1876, and was elected county recorder; served until 1880; then 
engaged in his present business. 

H, C. Hungerford, county treasurer and lumber dealer, was born 
in N. Y. in 1810; came to Sibley, in 1874, and engaged in the lum- 
ber iDusiness. He was elected to his present office in 1876, and re- 
elected in 1878. 

C. W. Jenkins, proprietor of the restaurant and news depot; 
came to Sibley in the spring of 1871, and engaged in his present 
business in the spring of 1876. 

H. Jordan, attorney at law, was born in 0. in 1813; came to 
Benton county, la. , in 1855 . He enlisted in 1862, in Co. H, 18th 
la. Inft., and served until the close of the war; then returned to 
Vinton, Benton county, la., and began the study of law. He 
began practicing law in 1868, and moved to Sibley in 1872; is the 
pioneer lawyer of Osceola county . 

W. R. Lawrence, M. D., was born in Essex county, N. Y.; 
removed to Wis. in 1851. He enlisted in Co. C, 1st Wis. Vol.,- 
and served three years; was wounded at Perry ville, Ky. After 
the war he went to Freeborn county, Minn . , and engaged in 
teaching school. He graduated from the Normal School at 
Winona in 186(3; came to Sibley in 1872, and engaged in the drug 
business. He graduated from the Northwestern Medical College, 
at Chicago, in 1878. He was elected county superintendent of 
schools in Osceola county in 1879, which office he still holds. 

D . D . McCallum, attorney at law, was born in Canada in 1817; 
came to Clayton county, la., in 1859. He enlisted Feb. 1st, 1864, 
in Co. I, 27th la. Vol. ; was afterwards transferred to the Twelfth 
la., and was on duty in Ala. during the reconstruction of that 
state under President Johnson's administration. He came to 
Sibley in the spring of 1872; was admitted to the bar in 1879, 
and engaged in the practice of the law. 

A. W. Mitchell, of the firm of Mitchell & Walton, furniture 
dealers, was born in N. Y.; removed to Hudson, Wis., in 1855. 
He enlisted in 1861 in Co- G, 4th Wis. Inft. ; served two years, 
and was discharged on account of ill health. He moved to Iowa 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 385 

Falls, la., in 1865, and engaged in the furniture business; thence 
to Steamboat Rock, and in 1872 to Sibley; in 1873 he engaged in 
his present business . 

W. M. Moore, county auditor, was born in Pa. in 1841; en- 
listed in 1861 in Co. E, Pa. Bucktail regiment; was taken prisoner 
in June, 1862, and held until Aug. of that year. He was wounded 
several times, and lost his right arm at Weldon R. R. terminus, 
in Aug . , 1864, from a gun shot . He served through the war, and 
then returned to Pa. He came to Sibley in 1872, and was elected 
to his present office in 1873, which he has held ever since. 

W. H. Morrison, jeweler, was born in Pa. in 1833; came tola, 
in 1855, settled in Allamakee county, and engaged in the jewelry 
business. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. E, 27th la. Vol., and served 
until the close of the war. He came to Osceola county in 1871, 
and settled four miles north of Sibley; moved into the city in 
1881, and engaged in the jewelry business. 

Hiram Xeill, M. D ., is a native of Canada; came with parents to 
Minn, in 1855, and settled in Hennepin countv- He enlisted in 
1863 in Co. A, 4th Minn. Vol. Inft.; served until 1865, and then 
returned to Minn., and began the study of medicine with Dr. 
Maddox, of St. Paul. He graduated from the Michigan Univer- 
sity in 1871, and from the Bellevue Hospital of N . Y . City in 1879 . 
He practiced medicine for a time in Minneapolis, Minn . , and came 
to Sibley in 1875, where he has a very extensive practice . 

W. L. Parker, druggist, is a native of Wis.; removed to Minn, 
in 1868; located at St. James in 1869, and engaged in the drug 
business. He removed to Sibley in 1873, and carries a very fine 
stock of drugs, paints, oils, fancy groceries, etc. 

H. W. Phillips, farmer, is a native of N. Y.; came to Delaware 
county, la., in 1858, settled in Osceola county in 1872, and on 
his present farm on section 32, range 41, in 1879. He was the 
first man to try to raise sheep in the county, and is largely engaged 
in the tree and fruit culture. 

Capt. D. L. Riley, mayor of Sibley, was born in St. Lawrence 
county, N. Y., in 1837; removed to Wis. in 1854. He enlisted in 
1861 in Co. C, 2nd Wis. Cav., under Col. C. C. Washburne. He 
enlisted as a private,' and came out captain of the company 
at the close of the war. He returned to Wis. and remained 
there until 1871, when he came to Osceola county and settled 
near where Sibley is now located. Mr. R. has held several town 
offices, and has been engaged in the lumber, coal and grain busi- 
ness since his residence in this place, which business he intends to 
resume at Spirit Lake in the spring of 1882. 

H. K. Rogers, the pioneer merchant of Sibley, was born in 0. 
in 1847; removed in 1870 to Salt Lake City, Utah, and engaged in 
the mercantile business, and in the autumn of 1871 came to Sibley, 



386 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



la., and built the first building in the town for a store and dwel- 
ling, on lots eight and nine. Ninth street. He was afterwards 
burned out there, and moved to his present place of business on 
Third avenue and Eighth streets. Mr. R. carries a large and com- 
plete stock of merchandise. 

L. Shell, lumber dealer, was born in Wis. in 1838; removed to 
AVorthington, Minn., in 1872; thence to Sibley in the spring of 
1873, and engaged in his present business, dealing in all kinds of 
builders' supplies aud grain. He enlisted in Aug., 1862, in Co. K. 
23rd Wis. Vol., and on account of wounds received at the battle of 
Vicksburg, May 22nd, 18G3, was discharged in Dec, of the same 
year. 

H. Walters, proprietor of the Pioneer House, was born in N. 
Y. in 1826; came to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Chickasaw county; 
removed to Osceola county in 1871, and entered a homestead on 
section 10, township 79, range 41. He engaged in the hotel 
business in 1874, it being the first hotel in Sibley. He enlisted in 
1863 in the 4tli la. Cav., and served until the close of the war; was 
wounded at Memphis, Tenn., by being thrown from his horse 
while on duty. 

C. D. & T. 0. Wilbern, dealers in general merchandise, came to 
Cherokee county, la., in 1868 and engaged in farming; removed 
to Sibley in 1873 and engaged in their present business. They 
were burned out in November of the same year, started again, and 
have continued ever since. T. 0. enlisted in 1864 in Co. C., 153rd 
111. Vol., and was discharged in 1865. 

S. A. Wright, deputy treasurer, was born in N. Y. in 1842. He 
enlisted in 1862 in Co. C, 112th N. Y. Inft. In 1868 he came to 
Iowa and engaged in the mercantile business; came to Sibley in 
1872, and followed various business pursuits, until 1874, when he 
was elected county treasurer, which office he held until 1876, 
when he was succeeded by Mr. Hungerford. 




HISTORY OF IOWA. 



PLYMOUTH COUNTY. 



The thriving and fertile county o£ Plymonth is on the western 
boundary of the State, in the third tier from the north line. Its 
average length east and west is about thirty-five miles, and its 
width north and south twenty-four miles. It contains an area of 
about 840 square miles, or 5^7,000 acres. The principal streams are 
Floyd River, West Fork of Little Sioux River, West Branch of 
Floyd River, and Broken Kettle, Perry and Willow Creeks. Floyd 
River, the largest stream, crosses the county diagonally from north- 
east to southwest. It has many important tributaries, affording 
fine stock water and drainage to a large portion of the county. It 
also affords some Avater-power for mills. The West Fork of Little 
Sioux River crosses the southeast corner, draining and watering 
two or three townships. The entire county has a thorough system 
of natural drainage through small streams which course their way 
through all parts of it. The streams are clear, and never fail to 
furnish a supply of living water, as most of them are supplied by 
springs. There are no swamps or marshes. 

The general character of the surface is rolling prairie, Avith some 
broken land in the western part of the county. The soil is the 
productive bluff deposit peculiar to the western part of the state. 
The valleys along the streams are not excelled in fertility of soil, 
and are adapted to all kinds of grain and vegetable crops. The 
uplands are not so "well adapted to corn as the valleys, but produce 
fine crops of wheat and oats. The valleys of Big Sioux and Floyd 
Rivers present splendid belts of rich farming lands. The county 
is well adapted to grazing purposes, as there is a never-failing sup- 
ply of pure, living water for stock, with an abundance of excellent 
pasturage. 

The supply of native timber is quite limited, the principal groves 
being along the Big Sioux River, and a few small groves on Floyd 
and the West Fork of Little Sioux, Some of the early settlers 
have fine groves of planted trees, w4iich will soon attain sufficient 
growth to furnish fuel for their owners. Some stone has been 
quarried in this county, but it is of little use as a building material. 
Some of it is burned into a fair article of lime. Material for brick 
is obtained in sufficient quantity. 

The first settlements by Avhites in the county were made in the 
Summer of 1856, and were in the valleys of Big Sioux and Floyd 
Rivers. The following persons that year located in the valley of 
Big Sioux River: J. B. Pinckney, David Mills, Isaac T. Martin, 
Bratton Vidito, J. McGill, John Hipkins. James Dormichy and a 



388 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Mr. Guilliaras. The settlement oii Big Sioux River was com- 
menced by Martin, Vidito, McGill and Hipkins, the last named 
having a family. They erected two houses, one for Hipkins and 
his family, and the other for the young men. In July they laid 
out a town, calling it Westfield. This was the first toAvn laid out 
in the county, and its proprietors regarded it as the future metrop- 
olis of the Big Sioux Valley. 

In 1806, A. C. Sheets, James B, Cuiry, E. S. Hungerford, Cory- 
don Hall and Joel Phillips located in the valley of the Floyd River. 
The county was organized October 12th, 1858, by William Van- 
O'Linda as organizing sheriff. The election was held at the house 
of John Hipkins, on the Big Sioux River, and at the house of A. 
C. Sheets, on Floyd River. The following persons were elected 
county officers: William Van O'Linda, County Judge; Isaac T. 
Martin, Treasurer and Recorder; A. C. Sheets, Clerk of the Dis- 
trict Court; David Mills, Sheriff; and A. E. Rea, County Superin- 
tendent of Schools. The same Fall a township election was held 
at Westfield, on the Big Sioux, when Isaac T. Martin was elected 
Township Clerk. There were sixteen votes cast at this election. 
The county judge held his office on Floyd River, in the middle of 
the eastern part of the county, while the treasurer and sheriff held 
theirs in the Big Sioux Valley. 

The first place recognized as the county seat was called Mel- 
bourne, and was more a scattered settlement than a village, in the 
Floyd Valley. Here the business of the county court was trans- 
acted, and here the first district court was held by Judge A, W. 
Hubbard. Here also the first religious meetings were held by the 
German Methodists, and the first school taught by William Van 
O'Linda. Westfield, the rival of Melbourne for the honors of the 
county seat, was abandoned in the Spring of 1860, on account of 
large selections or entries of land made in that vicinity by half- 
breed Indians, which greatly retarded the settlement. The entries 
of land were made with half-breed script. 

LE MARS. 

Throughout all of Western Iowa the name of "Le Mars'' is in- 
dissolubly connected with the idea of thrift, prosperity and en- 
terprise. It is a growing little city, a prosperous one, and a pleas- 
ant one in which to live, as witness the unanimous opinion of all 
who have had occasion for knowledge in the premises. By a vote 
of 476 to 111, at a general election of 1872, Le Mars was made the 
county seat of Plymouth Count}^ Its location is at the junction 
of the Illinois Central and the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroads, 
twenty-five miles northeast of Sioux Cit3\ The land upon which 
the city is located, originally belonged to Jerry Ladd, B. F. Bets- 
worth and Mr. Marion. The location of the town-site was accom- 
plished in the summer of 1809. The facts in connection with the 



I 



HISTOliY OF IOWA. 389 

selection of a name for the future city, are thus narrated: ''Soon 
after its location the place was visited by John I. Blair and other 
railroad officers, accompanied by a party of ladies. Upon the lat- 
ter Mr. Blair conferred the privilege of selecting a name for the 
prospective city. The initial letters of the Christian names of the 
ladies were combined so as to form the name Le Mars, and it was 
agreed that this should be the name of the new town." 

The first business firm established in Le Mars was that of Blod- 
gett & Foster, who were very closely followed by J. W. Young, 
John Gordon, Orson Bennett and C. H. Bennett. The first news- 
paper in the county, the Le Mars Sefdlnel, was started by J. C. 
Buchanan February 3d, 1871. Le Mars is surrounded by an ex- 
tensive farming region, and is a shipping point of unusual impor- 
tance. 

The City Council of Le Mars for 1881, was composed of the fol- 
lowing gentlemen: George E. Pew, Frank Miller, Arthur Brown, 
P. F. Dalton, John Perkee, A. Aldrich. C. P. Woodward was the 
Mayor; G. W. Argo, City Solicitor. 

All branches of business are largely represented, and in no lo- 
cality in Western Iowa will there be found greater inducements in 
the way of pecuniary, domestic or educational attractions than in 
the growing little city of Le Mars. An unusually creditable 
showing of LeMars' business and professional interests appears 
in the addenda of a biographical nature which are hereunto ap- 
pended. 

Among the important industries of Le Mars, may be mentioned 
the pork packing establishment of Roberts, Frost & Heaphy. The 
building, which is located in the northeastern part of the city, was 
erected in the latter part of 1881. It is a frame building, 20x60 
feet in dimensions, and has a capacity of disposing of three hun- 
dred hogs per day. This building was erected at a cost of nearly 
$4,000. It is fitted up with the most approved apparatus, -and is 
doing a thriving business. 

Le Mars is also supplied with two large flouring mills. The mill 
owned by Burns, Treat & Co., was erected in the spring of 1876, 
is 36x80 feet in dimensions, three and a half stories high, Avitli a 
basement. It was fitted up with goo'd machinery, had a run of 
eight buhrs, and a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. 
This building was remodeled in 1881, and refitted with the most 
modern improvements, having all the latest patterns of purifiers 
and smut-machines. It now has a run of six buhrs and ten rollers, 
with a capacity of two hundred barrels of flour per day. This mill 
ranks with the great Minneapolis flouring mills in regard to qual- 
ity of patent and fancy flour, graham flour, and all kinds of feed, 
and their flour may be found in New York, Boston and Chicago. 

The City Mills, operated by Gehlen Bros., were erected in 1870, 
by Peter Gehlen, at a cost of §50,000. This mill is a fine frame 
building, 50x100 feet, with four run of buhrs, and has a capacity 



390 HISTORY OF IOWA, 

of fifty barrels per day. It has all the modern improveraeuts, and 
is turning out a first-class quality of flour. One hundred and fifty 
thousand bushels of wheat are handled by this mill each year. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Congregational Society. — This Society was organized in 1870, 
under the supervision of M. R. Anisden and John Blodgett. The 
first minister was Rev. R. M. Sawyer, who was succeeded by Rev. 
D. D. Frost, and he by Rev. A. E. Arnold, the present pastor. 
The Society built a church in 1878, which is 24 by 60 feet in di- 
mensions and cost ^2,500. The Deacons at the present writing 
are, J. H. Springer, A. W. Gilbert and John Blodgett. 

First German Evangelical Church. — Organized in 1878 by Rev. 
J. Heinsuieller, who officiated as the first pastor. Following him, 
was Rev. V. Griese. The following named persons participated in 
the organization: George Brendtstaedter, A. Kelirberg, Mr. Schaef- 
fer, Mr. Mueller. This society held services in the Court House 
previous to the building of the church, which was erected in 1881. 
It is a frame building, 20 by 40 feet, will seat from 300 to 400 
people, and cost $1,800. The church was dedicated December 25th, 
1873. The members of this society now number about twenty- 
five. It has in connection a Sabbath School numbering thirty pu- 
pils, with J. G, Koenig as Superintendent. The present Trustees 
are, L. S. Staebler, G. M. Smith, Jacob Merrymau, Albert Kehr- 
berg, J. G. Koenig. Rev, F. Loehle is the present pastor. 

German Metliodisf Episcopal Sociefg. — Organized in October, 
1873, by Rev. E. W. Henke, who was the first pastor. The suc- 
ceeding pastors were: Revs. John Hank, S. Koener, C. Stellner, 
A. Biebichaiser, T. H. Wellimeyer, the latter being the present 
pastor. They have a large Sunday School in connection with the 
church, Prof. Wernli acting as Superintendent. The church 
building was formerly used as a public school building, was pur- 
chased by this society in 1875, and fitted for church purposes, the 
basement being used as a parsonage. In 1880 the building was 
enlarged, and is now 24 by 52 feet in dimensions. The total cost 
of this building was |2,450, The present Trustees are: Prof. J, 
Wernli, A, Trader, D, W, Held, H, Kluckbohn, F. Remer. The 
church membership is about 110 persons, and there is a large 
attendance upon the Sabbath School. 

ParisJi of Grace Episcopal Society. — The .first steps towards 
forming this Parish, were taken in the year 1872. A Mission was 
then constituted by Bishop Lee, then Bishop of Iowa. In 1873 
Rev. R. Trewartha accepted a call to the Mission. In the following 
year the Mission was incorporated into the Diocese as a Parish. 
Some success Avas at first met Avith, and a small building was pur- 
chased and used as a church. After a time, however, Mr, Tre- 
wartha left, and the Parish fell out of the Diocesan records. In 
1881. Rev. H. P. Marriett-DodingtoU; M. A., of Trinity Col- 



HISTORY OF IO^Y.\. 301 

lege, Cambridge, England, came to Le Mars and set himself dili- 
gently to work to revive the church. Hy this time the town had 
hirgely increased. A large influx of Episcopalians had arrived 
from England. Services were first held at the house of j\[essrs. 
Close, Benson & Co.. and were afterwards transferred to the Van 
Sickel Hall. A. sufKcient sum was raised to warrant the com- 
mencement of the building of a large church on the south side of 
town, at the cost of about .^4,000. About June, 1881, Mr. Dod- 
ington returned to England, having first reconstituted the Parish. 
He was succeeded by the Rev. H. N. Cunningham, M. A., of 
Brasenose College, Buford, England. Under his direction the 
funds required for the church were raised, and the church was 
begun and finished. The society hope shortly to build a good 
parsonage close to the church, on one of the handsomest sites in 
the town. The Rector, Rev. H. N. Cunningham, who took clas- 
sical honors at Baford, is founding a school, principally for 
boarders; terms, $30 to $50 per month. It is hoped that a per- 
manent endowment may be raised in course of time, and that an 
assistant clergyman may be provided. When the weather is 
favorable, monthly services are held in Quorn and Portlandville, 
and an opening is sought in other towns in the neighborhood. 

German Lutheran Sociefi/. — Organized in July, 1881, Rev. F. 
Bunger being the first and present pastor. The church building was 
erected in the same year, is 24x40 feet in dimensions, and cost 
$800. The membership is from thirty to forty persons. H. Dethlow 
and John Deuschle are the Trustees. 

Mefhodisf Episcopal Sociefi/. — Organized in 1870, by Rev. J. T. 
Walker. The church edifice was erected in 1872, by R. V^ . Thum- 
burcy. 

St. Joseplis Catholic Parish. — Organized in 1872, by Messrs. 
Peter Gehlen, C. D. Hoffman and B. F. Manahan. The pulpit of 
this church was at first supplied by clergymen from Sioux City. 
Father Meis was the first stationed pastor, and Avas appointed in 
1875. He is still in charge of the Parish. The membership in- 
cludes about 300 families, about one-fourth of whom are English. 
The church edifice Avas erected in 1872. The main building was 
40x35 feet in dimensions. In 187(3, the building was remodeled 
and enlarged to i)0x35 feet, Avith a Aving 40x30 feet. The building 
is three stories in hight. The Aving is used as a residence for the 
Sisters of Charity, of whom there are six, and for school purposes. 
A Parochial school was organized in connection with this Parish 
in 1878, with about fifty pupils, under the tutorship of Rev. Father 
Meis. In May, 1879, the Sisters of Charity took charge of this 
school, and it now has an attendance of 150 pupils. A rectory 
was built in 1879, AA'hich is 2(3x34 feet in dimensions. These build- 
ings Avere erected at a total expense of $7,000. There are nineteen 
acres of laud belonging to this Parish, eleven acres on Avhich the 
buildings are located, and Avhich are Avithin the corporate limits 



392 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

of Le Mars; and ei^ht acres, set apart for a cemetery, lying east of 
the former, and adjacent to the city limits. These grounds are en- 
closed by good fences, are beautifully located, and set out in ever- 
greens, with other trees and shrubbery. They are tastefully laid 
out and pleasantly situated. The cemetery grounds were procured 
from Peter Gehlen for a consideration of §75; the church grounds, 
from the Cedar Rapids Railroad Company for a consideration of 
$90. Rev. Father Meis, the present Rector, also has charge of 
Prairie Creek, Hosper s and East Orange societies. 

The Public Schools. — Le Mars has a fine three-story brick school 
building. Ten rooms are occupied by as many teachers, and there 
is an average regular attendance of 350 pupils. The school enum- 
eration shows 771 pupils in the district. The High School pre- 
pares its pupils for the Freshman year in the best colleges of the 
East, and requires as many years for completion as the course of 
the State Normal School at Cedar Falls. Three years of German 
and an equal amount of Latin are thoroughly taught. The classes 
in mathematics are taken as far as Ti*igonometry. The usual 
quota of sciences, and a more than common literary discipline are 
among the advantages of the course here. Mr. A. N. Fellows, 
the Principal, is a graduate of the State University at Iowa City, 
and was previously connected with the schools of Morning Sun and 
Knoxville, in this State. 

The first school of the independent district was organized in 
1874, the first school house having been built in 1870. The pres- 
ent High School building was erected in 1876, is 58x62 feet in 
dimensions, with three stories and a basement. The first corps of 
teachers was: W. H. Stone, Principal; Ella H. Earl, Mary 
Gallagher, Etta M. Stebbens. The first Board of Education con- 
sisted of: A. W. Bennett, A. H. Lawrence, L. Greer, E. H. Bets- 
worth, T. H. Tracy, M. B. Fritz; John Herron, Treasurer; F. W. 
Guernsey, Secretary. The present Board of Education is as fol- 
lows: P. F. Dalton, President; C. P. Woodard, W. H. Dent, J. 
Long, C. D. Hoffman, George Pew. 

The following are the names of the present teachers: A.N. 
Fellows, Principal; Mary Lynn, Hannah Gallagher, Carrie Byrne, 
Bertha Alline, Emma Wernli, Jennie Buchanan, Susie Sawyer, 
Mrs. F. W. Guernsey, Nellie Sweetland. 

Pli/moufh Lodge No. 332, I. 0. G. T. — Instituted in June, 
1880. Charter members: William Wernli, William Wynet, Mrs. 
William Wynet, Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Garner, T. H. Dodson, J. G. 
Koenig, J. H. March, H. Thompson, George Smith, John Jones, 
Fannie Van Sickel, William Boyd, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel S. Wil- 
liams, Thomas Griffin, Annie Wallace, Mrs. William Wernli, 
George Clay pool. First officers: William Wernli, W. C. T.; 
Annie Wallace, W. V. T.; Thomas Griffin, C; J. C. Jones, R, 
S.; Mrs. William Wynet, F. S.; J. G. Koenig, Treasurer; L. M. 
Garner, W. M.; C. C. Leidy, L G.; T. H. Dodson, 0. G. Present 



HISTORY OF IOWA 393 

officers: T. H. Dodson, W. C. T.: M:uj Carmine, W. V. T.; J. 
H. March, R. S.; Liza Morris, F. S.: Ernest Gauss, Treasurer; W. 
H. Briggs, C; C. Thompson, M.; Mary Norris, I. G.; William 
Nipper, 0. G. This Lodge now has fifty-six members in good 
standnig. Meetings are held Fridciy evening of each week in Odd 
Fellows' Hall. New memhers are being continuously added. 

Le Mars Lodge No. 255, I. 0. 0. i-'.— Instituted March 26th, 
1873, by G. M. 'C. G. Kretchmer. Charter members: A. Black, 
S. S. Ambrose, J. C. Morris, J. W. Earl, W. W. Spalding. J. P. 
Fairfax, Charles Blind, R. M. Click, H. C. Curtis, R. M. Thorn- 
burg, J. C. Buchanan, S. V. Burg. First officers: J. W. Earl. N. G.; 
R. W. Click, V. G.;H.C. Curtis, R.S.;W.W. Spalding, P. S.; 
T. M. Porter, Treasurer. Present officers: J. S. Dunscomb, N. 
G.; H. B. Perry, V. G.; E. J. Pauley, Treasurer; J. F. Fairfax, R. 
S.; George Stanley, C. This Lodge now has a member.-hip of 
seventy-six, and meets every Wednesday evening in its room over 
the Plymouth County Bank. 

Juno Lodge No. 390, I. 0. 0. F. — This is a German Lodge, the 
work being done in that language. It was instituted Fe'bru;iry 
20th, 1879, by D. D. G. M. T. J. Kinkaid, of Sioux City. Cbarter 
members: Gustave Haerling, John P. Nith, M. Krudwig, Cliarles 
Striegel, Charles Zink, J. C. Buchanan, John Kleeman, Aujiiist 
Forner, George Hodam, Charles Reichert, A. B. Steiner. First 
officers: A. B. Steiner, N. G.; MatthcAv Krudwig, V. G.: J. P. 
Nith, Secretary; Gus Haerling, Treasurer. Present office r:-: C. 
G. Nobis, N. G.; Aug. Ihle, V. G.; Gustave Haerling, Secre- 
tary; J. D. Szetnick, Treasurer. Meetings are held «n-(ry 
Thursday evening at Odd Fellows' Hall. The Lodge is r< guhnly 
incorporated under the laws of the State of loAva, and hns ;;t ll.e 
present writing, twenty-six active members. 

Gihlem Lodge No. 322, A. F. d- A . M. — Instituted Dnouler 
26th, 1872. Charter members: AVilliam Rymers, D. W . Clsiik, 
S. Reeves. E. W. Burdick, W. S. Welliver, J. H. Mori. E. H. 
Shaw, W. H. Wood, T. K. Bowman, David Gibbs, G. W. W. Ik n, 
I. Struble, H. W. VanSickel, C R. Smith. James C; i , r K. 
Redmon. First officers: David Gibbs. W . M .; D . W- < : 'c, 
S . W . ; William Rymers, J . W . ; W . S . Welliver, Secrc ' ' • 

H. Shaw, Treasurer. Present officers: W. S. Welliver, ^ I .; 
C . Adamson, S . W . ; N . L . Greer, J . W . ; N . Redmon, tr. : 

George Powers, Treasurer. The Lodge has a membership t 

sixty, and is in a flourishing condition . Meetings are n 

Tuesday evening in each month on or before the full n ii 

Masonic Hall, in Flint's 131ock, Main street. 

riymouth Lodge, loica Legion of Honor. — Instituied ii 
ber, 1880. Charter members: A. AV. Durley, J. M. Ei ' 
H. Euseninger, F. W. Mvers, J. F. N. Snvdensticker, W^. ■ 
J. C. Hebeustreit. D. \V. Townsei.d. C. P. Woodard. 
Lawrence. C. B. Smith. J. A. Jones, J. G. Koenig, W. 



394 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Henry March, N. Richards, I. S. Struble, H. C. Curtis, G. W. 
Powers. A. C. Stebbens, A. W. Moulton, F. J. Jenness. First 
officers: A. W. Durley, President; H. C. Curtis, Vice-President; 
D. W. Townsend, F. S.; W. H. Perry, R. S. Present officers: 
D. W. Townsend, President; H. C. Curtis, Vice-President; J. M. 
Emery, F. S.; W. H. Perry, R. S. The Trustees are, W. H. Dent. 
Henry March and C. B. Smith. This Lodge has a membership of 
twenty-four, and meets twice in each month over Steiner's book- 
store. The whole number of members of this order in the State 
is put down at 4,800. It is an incorporated life insurance society, 
each member being insured to the amount of <^2,000. The average 
assessment is only forty cents to each member in case of death of 
any one of the members of the order. 

"Plymouth Countij Agricultural Association. — Organized in 1872 
by William Barrett, Andrew Black, A. E. Rea, B. F. Betsworth, 
M. Hilbert, and others. The first officers were: A. E. Rea, Presi- 
dent, and M. Hilbert, Secretary. The present officers are: C. P. 
Woodard, President; Hon. R. Moreton, Vice-President; G. C. 
Maclagan, Treasurer; M. Hilbert, Secretary. This society holds 
two annual meetings, viz: the June racing meeting and the annual 
agricultural fair in September of each year. The society has forty 
acres of land adjoining the town plat, and within the corporate 
limits of Le Mars. These grounds are enclosed partly with a fence, 
and partly with a thick hedge. A fine amphitheater has leen built 
within the past year. There are also an excellent half-mile track 
and a floral hall 40x60 feet in dimensions. Over Si .000 are annu- 
ally paid in premiums by the x^ssociation, and in 1881 the citizens 
of Le Mars paid 81,000 additional. Much interest is taken in 
these annual exhibitions. 

LeMars Ilif/h School Lyceum. — Organized in October, 1881, with 
Prof. A. N. Fellows as President; Lizzie Sawyer, Vice-President; 
C. A. Spring, Jr., Secretary; Clara Rounds, Treasurer; Carrie Gil- 
bert, Organist. The officers at the present writing are: J. H. 
March, President; Carrie Gilbert, Vice-President; Allen Campbell, 
Secretary; Prof. A. N. Fellows, Treasurer. The membership is 
about thirty, and meetings are held ever}^ Monday evening in the 
LeMars High School building, the order of exercises consisting of 
vocal and instrumental music, select readings, declamations, essays, 
debates, etc. 

LeMars Public Library Association. — Organized in 1876, by 
Mrs. AVilkins and Miss Burroughs. Its lirst officers were: Mrs. 
P. F. Dal ton. President; Mrs. Wilkins, Secretary. Mrs. "VVilkins 
removing from LeMars, Mrs. C. P. Woodard was appointed Secre- 
tary in her place. The present officers are: Mrs. Dalton, Presi- 
dent; Mrs. C. P. Woodard, Secretary; A. Aldrich, Librarian. 
This Association had in its library, up to December 1st, 1881, 440 
volumes. There was at that time in the treasury $150. The first 
Librarian was David Gibbs, Jr., who was succeeded by W. F. Al- 



IIISTOIIY OF IOWA. 395 

lenson, auJ in order, T. II. Dodson and A. B. Steiner, avIio was 
followed by Mr. Aldrich, in whose store the library is at present 
kept. These gratifying results are due to the labors of the ladies 
of LeMars. 

LeMars Fire Company^ Rescue No. 1. — This Company was or- 
ganized in August, 1881, with A. Richman as President; D. D. 
Hoffman, Treasurer; T. D. Hoffman, Foreman, and D. Padmore, 
Secretary. The Company now has a membership of fifty-two, and 
has at present one small engine. A 400-pound bell has been do- 
nated to the Company by R. W. Harrison. 



PLYMOUTH COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



LE MARS. 



Frank Amos, attorney at law, was born in Y\ . Va. in 1810; 
moved to la. in 1853, and settled in Jackson county; thence in 
1869 to Le Mars. He was mustered into the service in 1862, in 
the 31st la., acting as first lieutenant; was wounded at Atlanta, 
Ga., in 1864, and discharged in 1865; was admitted to the bar the 
same vear. He was married to Martha Brown, of 0., and has two 
children— B. F. and Talitha C. 

J. E. Arendt, dealer in millinery, fancy dry goods and ladies' 
furnishing goods, was born in Dubuque, la., in 1858. He was en- 
gaged in clerking from 1869 to 1878, when he established his pres- 
ent business at Le Mars. 

I 

Rev. A. E. Arnold was born in Adams, Mass., in 1838: removed 
to 111. in 1856. He graduated from the Chicago Theological Semi- 
nary in 1867, and was engaged in the ministry in 111. until Feb. 
1st, 1876, when he came to Le Mars and took charge of the Con- 
gregational Church, of that city. In 1869 he married Emma F. 
Bourne, of Mass. 

Fred Barrow, proprietor of the House of Lords, in connection 
with the international club room, was born in England in 1840; 
came to America in 1864, and settled in D3^ersville, la.; then moved 
to Dakota in 1874; located at LeMars in 1880. He was married 
in 1867 to Sarah Ham, of Eng., and has four children — William, 
Alice, John and Jessie. 

Hon. William Barrett came to Plymouth county, la., from 
Wis. in 1857, locating in Hungerford township. He was elected 
county judge and served in 1861 and 1862. At the expiration of 
two terms, was elected chairman of the first board of supervisors 



396 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

for the count}^ and served until 1878, when he was chosen repre- 
sentative for the 70th district, and is again chairman of the board 
of supervisors. He has a fine large farm in Lincoln township, 
Avhere he lives in the enjoyment of the luxuries of a farmers' life. 
He has the reputation of being not only a successful farmer, but 
also of being well versed in county politics, and it is a saying that 
when '' Uncle Billy" figures in the election of a certain candidate, 
"He'll be elected." 

Hon. CI. P. Bennett. M. D., was born in Duchess county, N. Y., 
in 1834; moved to la. in 1861. Enlisted in 1862 in the 27th la. 
Vol., Co. K, as sergeant; was discharged in 1865. He moved to 
Dak. in 1866, was elected to the legislature in 1868, and served 
two years. He Avas appointed collector of internal revenue in 
1869, and chief deputy collector in 1874, and served four years. 
He began the practice of medicine in 1877, and graduated from 
the Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, in 1881. He mar- 
ried Alma A. Wolcott, of Steuben county, N. Y., who is also a 
graduate from Hahnemann Medical College, of Chicago, in the 
class of '81, and is practicing medicine in connection with her hus- 
band, at LeMars. They have seven children — Frank L., Mary C, 
Alma L., Marian W., Addie D. E., Gilbert Gr., and Ernest B. 

Blodgett & Hilbert,real estate and insurance agents; loans nego- 
tiated, collections made, lands sold, taxes paid and a general real 
estate business done; have abstracts of all lands and town lots in 
Plymouth county, made by Mr. Hilbert during an official term of 
six years as county recorder. They established their present busi- 
ness in 1876. 

T. L. Bowman, of the firm of Guthrie & Bowman, dealers in 
real estate, established business at Carroll City, Carroll county, la., 
in 1871, and in LeMars, in 1877. They are also agents for the la. 
Railroad land company. 

W. H. Briggs, of the firm of Gilbert & Briggs, dealers in har- 
ness, saddles, whips, etc. (successors to J. N. Lambert) was born in 
Canada in 1851; moved to Iowa in 1871, and engaged in his pres- 
ent business. This firm was established in 1881. He was married 
in 1874 to Miss Goldie, and has four children — Blanche, Harry, 
Beulah, and . 

Paul L. Brick, M. D., was born in Prussia in 1846; came to 
America in 1864, and settled in Auburn, N. Y.; moved to Pa.; 
thence to Wis. and 111.; to Burlington, la., in 1871, and to LeMars 
in 1879. He graduated from the Louisenstadt Medical College, of 
Berlin, Ger., in 1804. He was married in 1871 to Ida Holdzkom; 
and in 1877, was married to E. Sniff's, and has two children — Louis 
and Paul. 

Dr. E. D. Brower, dentist, was born in Carroll county, 0., Jan. 
15th, 1858; moved to la. in 1872. He is a graduate from the 
dental department of the University of Michigan, class of '81. 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 397 

M. Burg, o£ the firm of Burg & Heiitges, dealers in general 
merchandise, was born in Germany in 1839; came to America in 
1846, and settled in Caledonia, Minn. He established business in 
Le Mars in 1874. In 1880 he was married to Lizzie Dondlinger, a 
native of Germany. They have one child, Gregor. 

Alexander Clark, dealer in dry goods and notions, was born in 
Ireland in 1844; came to America in 1864. Engaged in the linen 
business in 1876, and in 1881 engaged in the mercantile business 
iu Le Mars. He was married in 1870 to Cassandra Lee, a native of 
Eng., and has three children — John A., Mary E. and James M. 

Rev. Herbert Noel Cunningham was born in Hampshire, Eng., 
in 1851; passed through Haileyburg, then Brazenose, Oxford Col- 
lege, Eng., iu 1871. He took his degree of D. A. in 1876 in classi- 
cal honors, and the degree of M. A. iu 1878. He then went to Ha- 
ven as master; then to Oxford Military College in 187G, and the 
next year to Oxford Ministry College. In 1877 he took orders in 
the church of England. Held services in Staifordshire, Oxford- 
shire, Portsmouth and Hampshire. In 1880 was incumbent of St. 
George's, Tilihurst, near Reading. In 1881, he came to America 
and took charge of the Episcopal church, of Le Mars. 

P. F. Dalton, president of the Plymouth County Bank, was born 
in Ireland in 1838; came to America in 1849, and settled in Liv- 
ingston county, N. Y.; removed to Sandusky county, 0., in 1854, 
In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 0. Inft.; was appointed lieutenant, 
and served until the close of the war. In 1866 he located in Bu- 
chanan county, la., and in 1872 moved to Le Mars. The bank was 
established in 1874, with Joseph Wilson as president, and G. B. 
Van Saun as cashier. Mr. D. was married to Mary Few, a native 
of 0., and has two sons. 

W. H. Dent is president of the Le Mars Bank, which was es- 
tablished in 1872, by Rymer & Kent. In 1873 the firm was Proc- 
tor, Kent & Co.; in 1874, Wm. Rymer, and m 1875, W. H. Dent. 
He was born in Putnam county. 111., in 1843, and moved west in 
1875. He was elected a member of the school board of Le Mars 
in 1878. In 1871, he was man*ied to Cora Cheiver, of 111. They 
have two children — Hattie C. and Edith C. 

J. G. Dietrich, proprietor of meat market, was born in Milwau- 
kee, Wis., in 1850; engaged in the butcher business in 1864; 
moved to Fort Dodge, la., in 1871; thence the next year to Ne- 
braska City, and in 1877 came to Le Mars and established his pres- 
ent business. He Avas married in 1871 to Miss Hodam. of Sioux 
City, and has four children — Minnie, Frank, Albert and Kate. 

H. F. Dow, of the U. S. Clothing Co., dealers in clothing, hats, 
caps, boots, shoes, and gents' furnisliing goods, was born in Syca- 
more, 111., in 1852; was engaged in the clothing business at Col- 



398 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

oraclo Springs, from 1878 to 1881, when he came to Le Mars, and 
established his present business. He married Mary McMorris, of 
Colorado, in 1881. 

T. H. Dodson, dealer in groceries,cjueensware, notions, and gents' 
furnishing goods, was born in Sept., 1861, in Wis.; moved to Le 
Mars and engaged in the mercantile business in 1873. 

A. M. Duus, county auditor of Plymouth county, was born in 
Germany in 1849; came to America in 1870 and engaged in the in- 
surance business in Le Mars. He was elected town clerk and 
assessor in 1878, and to his present office in 1879. In 1873 he was 
married to Wynea Grade, of la. They have two children, Marcus 
and William. 

J. M. Emerv, postmaster, was born in Fairfield, Me., Jan. 1st, 
1845; moved to Pa. in 1852. He enlisted in 1862 in the 3rd Pa. 
heavy artillery; was taken prisoner Feb. 1st, 1864, at Smithfield, 
Va.,'and confined in Andersonville fifty-three weeks, and was dis- 
charged June 1st, 1865, as paroled prisoner. He then engaged in 
the lumber business in Pa. In 1875 he settled at Le Mars and en- 
gaged in editing the Iowa Liberal, which was at that time a re- 
publican paper. In 1869 he was appointed postmaster. He was 
instrumental in organizing the Northwestern Iowa S. S. associa- 
tion, of which he was the president, in 1879. In 1865 he married 
Luella Clark, of Pa., and has two children— Mary L. and Clark. 

W. H. Ensminger, M. D., was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1842; 
moved to 0. in 1864; thence to 111. the next year, and in 1879 he 
came to Le Mars and engaged in the practice of his profession. 
He graduated from Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pa., 
m 1871. In 1862 he enlisted in the 135th Pa. Vol., Co. E, and 
served one year. He married Sarah E. Patten, of 111., in 1871. 
They have two children — Blanche and Gracie. 

G. E. Eva, dealer in harness, saddles, whips, collars, etc.; also 
dealer in hides; was born in Dodgeville, Wis., in 1853; moved to 
Le Mars and established his present business in 1880. He mar- 
ried Clarissa Bastian, of Mineral Pt., Wis., in June, 1881. 

N. C. Evans, of the firm of N. C. Evans & Co., dealers in dry 
goods, notions, and carpets, was born in Bellevue, la., in 1852; 
moved to Wis.; thence to Waverly, la., and to Le Mars, in Sept., 
1878, and engaged in his present business. He married Lizzie 
Kegler, of la., in 1878. They have one child— Charley. 

J, F. Fairfax, general house and carriage painter, established 
business in 1871. He was born in Boston, Mass., in 1848; moved 
to Wis. in 1866. and to la. in 1871. He was married in 1875 to 
Mary Merrick, of 111., and has two children— Nellie and Frank. 

G. G. Gosting, photographer, was born in England in 1847; 
came to America while quite young, and settled in Cleveland, 0.; 
moved to Delaware county, la., in 1858; thence to LeMars in 1876, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 399 

and established his present business. He served in the 3d la. Inft. 
and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh; enlisted in 18G1, and 
was discharged in 1864. 

C. Gottschalk, attorney at law, office corner of Sixth and Main 
streets, LeMars, la.; will practice iu all courts in this and adjoin- 
ing counties. 

Harder & Kemper, proprietors of the LeMars marble works, es- 
tablished business in 1881. Mr. Kemper was born in la. in 1853, 
and moved to LeMars, in 1881. Mr. Harder was born in N. Y. in 
1842, and moved to Iowa in 1876. 

J. F. Heeb, proprietor of restaurant and sample rooms, also 
dealer in ice and grain, was born in St. Louis in 1840; moved to 
Dubuque, la., in 1846; thence to LeMars iu 1877, and established 
his present business. He was with Gen. Price in his last raid 
through Kan., in 1865, also in the battle at Westpcrt, Mo. In 
1867 he was married to Susan Steermer, of Potosi. Wis. They 
have six children — Francis A., Joseph P.. Eugene E., Mary, Es- 
tella E., and Arthur B. 

John Herron, county treasurer of Plymouth county, was born 
in Ireland in 1834; came to America in 1850, and located at Mad- 
ison, Wis., and engaged in the printing business. He removed to 
Mineral Pt.; thence in 1869 to Sioux City, la., and the same year 
to LeMars. He was elected to his present office in 1873. In 1874 
he was married to Susan Gehlen, of la. 

J. W. Hines, M. D., was born in Va. in 1838. He graduated 
from Emery and Henry College, Va., in 1857, and from the Uni- 
versity of Va. in 1861, and engaged in the practice of medicine in 
1865. He located at LeMars m 1880. 

James Hopkins, sheriff of Plymouth county, was born in 1846 
in Canada; moved to N. J. in 1852; thence to la. in 1856. He 
located at LeMars in 1873, and was elected to his present office in 
1875. In 1871 he was married to Mary E. Murphy, and has four 
children — Thomas, James, Mary and Vivian. 

I. M. Irmen, practical watchmaker, engraver, and manufactur- 
ing jeAveler, also dealer in watches, clocks, silver plated ware, jew- 
elry, etc.; fine watch repairing a specialty; established business in 
Oct., 1881, corner of Main and Sixth streets. He was born in 
Germany in 1855; came with his parents to America in 1857, and 
settled in Grant count}^. Wis.; moved to LeMars in 1881. 

M. B. Kelley, county attorney, was born in Berkshire county, 
Mass., in 1859; moved to Mich, in 1871, and engaged in teaching 
school; afterwards studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 
1880. 

J. C. Kelley, attorney at law, was born in Canada in 1843; 
moved to Wis. in 1849; thence to Lyons, la., in June, 1860. In 
1861 he enlisted in the 16th la. Vol.; lost his right arm in the 



400 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 6tb, 1862, and was discharged 
on the 25th of the following Aug. He attended the Notre Dame 
University, of Ind., from 1863 to 1865, and then went to Wash- 
ington and graduated from Columbia College, as B. B. L. In 1870 
he moved to Carroll county, la.; thence to Le Mars. In 1879 he 
married Ella C. Rilea, of la., and has two children — Maud and 
Jessie. 

N. B. Kiser, dealer in boots and shoes, was born in Luxemburg, 
Germany, in 1833; came to America in 1854, and settled in Jack- 
son county, la., in 1857. In 1875 he removed to Le Mars. He 
married Annie Kefel, a native of Germany, in 1856, and has seven 
children— Katie, Mary, Maggie, Tinnie, Lizzie, John and Peter. 

J. G. Koenig, barber, was born in Germany in 1810; came to 
America in 1858, and engaged in the barber business in Baltimore; 
moved to Plymouth county, la., in 1871, and to Le Mars in 
1879. In 1865 he nif^ried Mary E. Merryman, of Baltimore. 
They have six children — Carrie V., Jacob M., Theresa E., Ida C, 
Florence E., Herbert D. and J. G. 

G. C. Maclagan, of the firm of Maclagan, Warren & Watson, 
proprietors of the Floyd meat market, was born in Scotland, in the 
city of Edinburgh, in 1852; came to America in 1880. Mr. Warren 
is a native of Ireland, and Mr. Watson, a native of Scotland. They 
are also proprietors of the Floyd feed and sale yard; stock sold at 
auction; established business in 1881. 

Rev. Father Meis, of St. Joseph's Catholic parish, Le Mars, la., 
was born in Prussia, in 1835; came to America in 1867. He 
graduated from St. Francis Seminary, at Milwaukee, Wis., in 
1875, and was ordained the same year. 

C A. Meyer, of the firm of McManus & Meyer, proprietors of 
the South Side meat market, was born in Germany in 1819; came 
to America in 1851, and located at Fond du Lac, Wis- ; removed 
to la. in 1871, where he engaged in undertaking and carpentery, 
until he established the above business in Oct., 1881. 

S. B. Mickley, proprietor of the Mickley House, w\as born in 
Pa., March 22nd, 1818; removed to N. Y. in 1835; thence to la. in 
1866; settled in Bremer county, and engaged in the butcher busi- 
ness; thence to Le Mars. In 1812 he married Sarah Frantz, of N. 
Y. They have four children — Henry, Hudson, Emma and Cora. 

Frank Miller, of the firm of Frank Miller & Co., dealers in gro- 
ceries, fruits, queensware, willow ware, and notions, was born in 
Luxemburg, Ger., in 1842; came to America and settled in Du- 
buque, la., in 1865. He engaged in the mercantile business in Le 
Mars in 1876. He is a member of the city council. In 1871 he 
married Anna Beach, of Bavaria, Ger., and has five children — Arg- 
eline, Frank, Joseph, Louis and Nicholas. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 401 

J. W. Myers, cashier of tlie Plymouth County Bank, was born 
in. Warren, Trumbull county, 0.. in 1832; moved to St. Paul, Minn, 
in 185-i, where he resided eleven years; then removed to Independ- 
ence, la., and came to Le Mars in 1878. He married Mary L. 
Kemberly, a native of Mich, 

H. S. Payn, of the firm of Smith & Payn, real estate, law and in- 
surance agents, was formerly engaged in farming in Plymouth 
county, la., and still owns a fine stock farm, situated two and one- 
half miles north of Le Mars. 

J. F. Patterson, gun and locksmith, also dealer in rifles, shot 
guns, revolvers and all kinds of sporting supplies; was born in 
1853, in 0.. was engaged formerly in telegraphing and merchan- 
dising; established his present business in 1878. In 1879 he mar- 
ried Abbie Noland, of Hazel Grreen, Wis., and has one child — 
Charley F. • 

W. H. Perry, dealer in coal, lime and cement, established busi- 
ness in 1880. He was born in 111. in 1847; moved to la. in 1854. 
He enlisted in 1865 in the 44th la. Vol., under Col. Henderson, 
and was discharged the same year. In 1873, he married Leone 
Bond, of Buchanan county, la. They have two children — Maud 
and Bessie. 

G. E. Pew, of the iirm of Pew & La Rue, dealers in general 
hardware, also farm machinery, pumps, wagons, paints, and oils; 
was born in Wis. in 1850; moved to Le Mars in 1875, and engaged 
in the hardware business; is a member of the city council. He 
married Belle BurroAvs, of Dubuque, and has one child — George. 

A. Reichman, dealer in dry goods, notions, ready-made clothing, 
gents' furnishing goods, hats, caps, groceries, crockery, glassware, 
etc.; was born in Germany in 1840; came to America in 1845, 
locating in Bufl'alo, N. Y.; moved to Dubuque, la., in 1864, and 
engaged in the grocery, flour and feed business. In 1877 he estab- 
lished his present business at Le Mars . 

Geo. E. Richardson, real estate, loan, collection and insurance 
agent; makes improved farms and non-resident lands a specialty; 
taxes paid and abstracts furnished in Plymouth and Sioux counties. 
He was born in Springfield, Mass., in 1850; moved to 111. in 1855; 
thence to la. in 1868, and was engaged in the produce business at 
Iowa Falls and Durango. He established his present business in 
1879. 

C. B. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Payn, real estate and col- 
lection agents, was born in N. Y. in 1847; moved tola, in 1873, 
and engaged in farming. In 1870 he engaged in his present busi- 
ness at LeMars . 

H. S. Roberts, attorney at law, was born in 1859, in Joe 
Daviess county, 111.; moved to Winfield, Kas., in 1879, and was 



402 HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

admitted to the bar in 1S81. He is also engaged in the real estate 
and loan business. Sept. 14th, 1880, he married Sarah Pooley. of 
Illinois . 

p. A. Seaman & Co., dealers in musical instruments; special 
attention given to tuning and repairing organs and pianos. 
Although this firm v/as established as late as 1881, Mr. L. is an 
old and experienced hand at the business; having served an appren- 
ticeship in tuning and repairing, and was connected with the busi- 
ness as early as 1860, in Dubuque, la., his former place of resi- 
dence . He is therefore fully competent to distinguish between 
good and poor instruments, and Avill give his patrons a number one 
instrument at the lowest possible price . 

J. H. Struble, attorney and collecting agent, was born in New- 
ton, N. J., 1838; moved to Va. ; thence to 0- ; was county treas- 
urer of Tama county, la., fyom 186Gto 1870. He came to Le Mars 
1872^ and engaged in the law_, loan and insurance business, in the 
firm of Struble Bros._, and in 1880 retired from the firm and en- 
gaged in the law, loan, and collection business. He married 
Elizabeth C . Koehler, of N . J . They have two children — Louis 
W . and Florence E . 

C W. Trottnow, Avatchmaker and jeweler, Avasbornin Prussia 
in 1849; came to America in 1856, and settled in Lee count}^ 111. ; 
moved to Neb. in 1868, came to Le Mars in 1879, and engaged in 
his present business . In 1873 he married Caroline Kalkman, a 
native of Switzerland, and has five children — Louis A., Mamie, 
Charles F . , and — — 

W. S. WelliA'Cr, clerk of the courts, was born in Greenwood, 
Pa., in 1847; moved to 111. in 185G; thence to Le Mars, June 30tri, 
1872. He Avas elected clerk of the courts in Jan., 1879. In ld72 
he married Isabel De Witt, of AVis., and has one child, Ralph L. 

Prof. J. Wernli, superintendent of schools for Plymouth 
county, was elected to the office in 1880. He Avas formerly en- 
gaged as assistant principal of the Normal School at Plattville, 
Wis . He granted sixty first-grade and fifty-six second-grade 
certificates to teachers in this county during the past year. 

L. A. Williams, baker and confectioner, Avas born in St. Paul, 
Minn., in 1857; moved to Li. in 1878, and engaged in the bakery 
business at Storm Lake; came to Le Mars in 1880. He married 
Jennie Cummings, of Storm Lake, in 1880 . 

C. p. Woodard, mayor of Le Mars, and dealer in agricultural 
implements and real estate, Avas born in N. Y. in 1817; moved to 
Le Mars in 1873, and^succeeded 'Blodgett & Flint in the agricul- 
tural implement business. He Avas elected president of the 
Plymouth county agricultural society in Jan., 1881, and mayor of 
the city in June of the same ^ year. In 1873 he married C- T. 
Sheldon. They have one child, J. Sheldon. 



HISTORY OF lOAVA. 403 



SHELBY COUNTY, 



The location of Shelby Couuty is in the fourth tier from the 
southern boundary line of the State, and in the second east from 
the Missouri River. Shelby County is twenty-four miles square, 
and contains about 576 square miles. The general surface of the 
county is rollino-, with deeply excavated valleys along the larger 
streams, while in some portions of the county it is quite rough and 
broken, with steep, precipitous hills and deeply cut valleys. The 
universall}'^ conceived idea of a prairie country is not wholly re- 
alized in Shelby Count3^ A Avriter some years ago ventured the 
following imaginative bit of description, which for want of a bet- 
ter illustration, we here insert: 'Tf the imagination of the reader 
will enable him to conceive Avhat a tract of land would be, that 
had been in a liquid state, and had been so violently agitated that 
high waves ran from east to west, and these had suddenly received 
a transverse motion and solidified while the breakers were dashing 
in ponderous masses towards the skies, he will have a tolerably 
correct idea of the appearance of a large portion of the prairie in 
the northwestern portion of this county." Nevertheless, this is a 
very valuable agricultural section, the hillsides having an excellent 
soii, peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of fruit of all kinds, 
many considering it a decided advantage rather than a detriment 
to Shelby County. 

The bottom lands usually slope towards the streams, and along 
the West Nishanabotany, which is one of the finest ana most beau- 
tiful valleys in the State, average more than one mile in width, 
and are lined by narrow clumps of timber. All of the valleys in 
the county possess a soil of unsurpassed fertility, which, like most 
other portions of the county, is composed of a fine material known 
as the bluff deposit. The soil of the whole Northwestern Slope differs 
from that of the eastern and central portions of the State in that 
it has not the heavy sub-soil and under-stratum of cla}'. In Shelby 
County this peculiarity is quite noticeable, since, after a heavy 
shower or series of rain storms, plowing may be immediately re- 
sumed, the water which falls being soon absorbed by the earth, 
sinking rapidly away on account of the absence of clay to stop or 
impede its progress. The soil here is a rich, silicious loam, well 
adapted to the production of the usual western crops, with the 
single exception of the tame grasses. Corn, for which there is no 
better or more favorable soil than is found in these valleys, is 
probably the staple, while wheat, oats and other kinds of grains, as 
well as the different grasses and vegetables, grow to great perfection. 



404: HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

The county is thoroughly well watered, the West Nishuabotany 
River, which flows southwai'd nearly through the middle of the 
county, receiving from the east the waters of the Middle Nishna- 
botauy, Whitt's and Indian Creeks, while the western part of 
the county is drained by the affluents of the Missouri and Boyer 
Rivers, the most important of which are Silver, Mosquito, Pigeon 
and Picayune Creeks. Mill Creek is a small stream in the north- 
west, which flows into the Boyer in Harrison County, and on which 
is Garland's Grove, a fine body of native timber embracing nearly 
one thousand acres. Besides this, there are several fine groves 
bordering some of the other streams, which embrace the varieties 
commonly found throughout this section of the State, such as burr 
and red oak, white and red elm, butternut, hackberry, black wal- 
nut, ash, linn and iron wood; while there is often found a heavy 
growth of sumac, hazel, thornapple, blackberry, gooseberry and 
grape. Where noAV may be observed a little outlaying thicket of 
hazel and sumac — the pioneers of forest increase — a few years 
hence, unless arested by the devastating fires, groves of thrifty 
saplings will have sprung up, and thus, within a comparatively short 
time, by the repetition of this process, the beautiful prairie slopes 
will be converted into forest-clad ridges and sombre thicket-dells, 
as wild and uninviting to the agriculturist as the native forests of 
the middle States. The apparent scarcity of timber in this county 
is ixi reality no serious drawback to its rapid settlement, as build- 
ing lumber can be easily obtained from the pineries of the north, 
and as these vast meadows of unbounded fertility hold out induce- 
ments to the settler such as no forest-clad region can boast. 

The entire county is supposed to be underlaid by the upper coal 
measure, as the strata is known to exist in counties to the south 
and west, but is here concealed under the post teritar}" deposit not 
less than 250 feet beneath the surface. The supply of building 
material is limited, yet a fair quality of brick is made of the mate- 
rial of the bluff" deposit. The only stone obtained for building are 
the boulders of the drift formation found scattered in various places. 

Previous to any permanent settlements in the county, it was 
frequently visited by trappers and hunters, two men named Bow- 
man and Berry being among the number. The county was organ- 
ized in 1853, the following being the first county officers: James 
M. Butler, County Judge; V. Perkins, Clerk of the District Court; 
Andrew Foutz, Sheriff'. The counties of Crawford and Carroll 
Avere at that time attached to Shelby for political, judicial and rev- 
enue purposes. Judge Samuel H. Riddle held the first session of 
the District Court for the three counties in the grocery of Solomon 
Hancock, at Galland's Grove. At this session the following attor- 
neys were present: H. P. Bennett, of Glen wood; L. M. Cline, A. 
C. Ford and David Price, of Council Bluffs. At the election which 
made choice of the first county officers, only thirteen votes were 
polled. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 405 

About the time of the orgiinization of the county, a town was 
laid out iu the northwest corner township, to which the name of 
rfhelbyville was given, and in 1854 this place was designated as the 
county seat, but the County Judge, being opposed to it, procured 
Hancock's grocery for holding the first court. The next term of 
the District Court was held, however, at Shelbyville. This was 
the first town laid out in the county, but is now known only in 
history, as the houses have all been removed to Harlan, and to the 
neighboring farms. Shelby County sent forty-seven soldiers into 
the war of the rebellion, though it had no organized company, the 
volunteers all joining organizations in the neighboring counties. 
Harlan, of which a lengthy description is given below, is the 
county seat, other settlements — more or less inconsiderable — in 
the county being Monteno, Mallory, Defiance, Westphalia, Kirk- 
man, Shelby and Elk Horn. 

HARLAN. 

This thriving city, one of the best located and most prosperous 
on the western slope of lowa^ is situated in Harlan Township, 
Shelby County, and is the county seat. It is somewhat south of 
the geographical center of the county, but nevertheless, as a county 
seat, it is well placed. The exact location is just below the con- 
fluence of the middle and west branches of the Nishnabotany River, 
on the west side of the latter branch. The railway facilities of 
the place are furnished by the Harlan & Northern Branch of the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. This branch is thirteen 
miles in length, and runs from Avoca, on the main line, to Har- 
lan. This line runs two mixed trains each way per day, and a 
large amount of produce is carried over the line. In addition to 
the railroad already existing, nearly the entire right of way for 
the building of an extension by the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
way Company from Kirkman to Harlan, seven miles, has been se- 
cured. The building of the line, however, seems to be surrounded 
by minor difficulties. The Iowa & Southwestern Railway, one 
of the Northwestern branch lines, now runs into Kirkman, and it 
is from this branch the proposed extension will, if present plans 
are carried out, be built. In addition to this, several other rail- 
way companies, among them the C, M. & St. P., give indications 
of probable future building in the same direction. In any event, 
the day appears not fur distant when Harlan will have connection 
with eastern markets by one or two other routes than the branch 
line previously mentioned. 

Harlan is a handsome place and handsomely situated on rising 
ground on the west side of the river. Tiiere are several slopes 
from the business portion of town, and the country is delightful!}'' 
rolling for miles; therefore the drainage and water are excellent, 
and malarial complaints are almost unknown in the vicinity. 



406 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The city is laid out iu a different manner from most northern cities, 
and but for its life and enterprise, which are apparent at 
first glance, would give one the impression of a Spanish or 
Mexican town. Though the city has numerous streets and 
considerable traffic in all directions, yet the main business por- 
tion of the place faces the center of the sc[uare of about 
one block in size, in the extreme center of which is enclosed 
the court-house. The arrangement throws the heavier portion 
of the trade of the place around a common center, and makes 
easy of access any business house. The buildings centering around 
the square are remarkably good for a new city, and many of them 
are large brick structures that would be a credit to a place three 
times the size of Harlan. The merchants all seem to be thriving, 
and heavy and well-selected stocks of goods are the rule. That 
the business men are well patronized is evidenced by the hundreds 
of teams that may be seen in the public square on any fine day 
during the busy season. 

The business houses of Harlan may be summed up as follows : 
Eight general merchandise stores, four drug stores, three banks, 
representing an aggregate capital of $150,000 or more, boot and 
shoe store, book and news store, three grocery and crockery stores, 
two merchant tailor shops, two clothing and hat and cap stores, 
three hardware stores, two furniture and undertaking establish- 
ments, three milliners, three dress makers, four agricultural im- 
plement dealers, three lumber yards, four coal dealers, two jewelers, 
five land and loan agents, two brokers, five grain dealers, four 
stock dealers, three newspapers, two photographers, three barbers, 
three hotels, six restaurants, billiard hall and saloon, billiard hall, 
four saloons, two livery stables, four blacksmith shops, two black- 
smith and wagon shops, five paint shops, ten contractors and build- 
ers of various descriptions, three harness makers, four boot and 
shoe makers, two bakers, two brickyards, each employing quite a 
number of men, two grist mills, one run by steam and the other 
by water, creamery, fence factory, three meat markets, nursery, 
two butter and egg dealers, house-mover, thirteen insurance agents. 
One of the blacksmith shops mentioned does considerable machine 
work. The professions are represented by eighteen attorneys, 
eleven physicians, two surveyors, dentist and three music teachers. 

Harlan has also become metropolitan enough to maintain a tele- 
phone exchange. This has thirty-three subscribers, and good use 
is made of it. This institution was established about a year ago, 
with twenty or more subscribers, and the list, through good man- 
agement, has been gradually increasing. 

The population of Harlan, by the census of 1880, was 1,303, but 
the growth of the city has been very rapid since, and the number 
of residents now variously estimated at from 1,600 to 2,000. The 
latter figure has been estimated on the vote of last fall, and is 
probably not far from the correct one. The town is still growing 



HISTORY OF lovr.v. 407 

at a good rate, and numerous improvements are being made. 
Among the most worthy oi note of these is the brick opera house 
being erected by J. M. Long, one of Shelby County's old citizens 
and Harhm's enterprising men. The building will be a two-story 
brick Structure, 4-1x120 feet in dimensions. The lower story will 
be divided into stores, and the upper story will be the opera 
house proper. The cost will be something over $25,000. The 
work of excavation for the foundation has been nearly completed, 
and the opening of spring w^ill see building commence. The 
appointments of the structure will be first-class. 

Harlan was named after Iowa's ex-senator of that name. 

The survey of the original plat of Harlan was begun April 14th, 
1858, by N. M. Kinney, surveyor. The plat comprised eighty 
acres, and Avas surveyed for Dr. A. F. Ault. This original plat is 
now known as "Old Harlan." Previous to this, Dr. Ault and oth- 
ers had platted a town on the opposite side of the Nishnabotany, 
which town rejoiced in the euphonious name of "Simoda." Dis- 
sensions occurred in the ranks of the proprietors of the site, and it 
Avas this which led to the laying out of Harlan by Dr. Ault. On 
July 15th, 1859, James M. Long platted an addition to Harlan of 
160 acres. This addition now comprises the central portion of the 
city. Mr. Long platted a second addition of eighty acres on Sep- 
tember 10th, 1879. On January 15th, 1880, D. M. Wyland plat- 
ted the portion of the town known as McDonald's addition. This 
addition was bought by Wyland after McDonald had platted the 
land and made arrangements for its recording; hence the reten- 
tion of the name. On September 7th, 1880, Samuel L. Ganser and 
D. Z. Ganser platted a small addition of fifteen lots. August 10th, 
1881, another small addition known as Davis' addition, was plat- 
ted by J. W. Davis. Wyland's addition of about sixty acres was 
recorded b}'- C. J. and D. M. Wyland on September 8tli, 1881. 
These numerous additions now give a space to the town plat of 
about a section. 

The first settler on the town site of Harlan was Isaac Plum, who 
came about the time the town was laid out. Of the old settlers 
living here at present, the second in length of residence is H. C. 
Holcomb, Clerk of Courts. David Randall is another old settler, 
as is also Peter Barnett. There were other settlers who came 
prior to the advent of these gentlemen, but they have moved away. 
Those named all came in the spring of 1858, as did Dr. Ault who 
platted the town. 

Harlan made no particular growth after the first two years until 
the railroad was built* In fact, it is stated on good authority that 
there were more people in the place in 1860 than there were in 1868, 
The breaking out of the civil war took away a large number Avho 
never returned, and various other causes also induced a heavy emi- 
gration. Since the advent of the railroad, however, the growth of the 
city has been rapid and uniform, especially during the last two years. 



408 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The buildings of Harlan are mainly of recent construction; but 
there are one or two that date back almost to the time the orig- 
inal town plat was made. Among these is E. Bergstresser's dwell- 
ing house, which was the second dwelling erected in Harlan. This 
building was originally erected as a store in the spring of 1858. 
It has since been enlarged and remodeled. The next oldest build- 
ing standing is William Errett's dwelling, erected by Isaac Plum 
in 1859. The Court House, though it had two predecessors, one of 
which was burned and the other turned into a tinement house, is 
also an old building. The last named structure, it must be stated, 
is a frame building of very indifferent character, and does not do 
an enterprising city like Harlan any great amount of credit. 
There is, however, a probability that a better building will be 
erected. This is greatly needed and will be hailed with gratitude 
by the majority of the people in Shelby County. 

Harlan was incorporated in May, 1879, as a city of the second 
class. The first officers of the city were: Wni. Wyland, Mayor; 
Cyrus Beard; Recorder. The Trustees were, J. M. Long, Thomas 
Ledwich, D. M. Wyland, Peter Brazie, John Coenen, J. B. Stuts- 
man. Ct. S. Rainbow was the first Marshal, and Gr. S. Gibbs the 
first City Treasurer. The present officers are: Thomas Ledwich, 
Mayor; Cyrus Beard, Recorder; D. M. Wyland, (}. S. Gibbs, T. J. 
Robinson, John Coenen, J. B. Stutsman, E. J. Trowbridge, Trus- 
tees. L. D. Frost is City Treasurer; G. W. Watkins, Marshal; H. 
M. McGinnis, Street Commissioner. 

The first postoffice established in the vicinity of Harlan was at 
the original town site, Simoda, in the summer of 1858. Samuel 
Dewell, at present postmaster at River Sioux, Harrison County, 
was the first appointed to the office. After some squabbling, the 
county seat was removed to Harlan in 1859, and the postoffice fol- 
lowed a few days after. The first postmaster, after the removal of 
the office to Harlan, was A. L. Harvey. jMr. Harvey was succeeded 
by D. H. Randall, still a resident of Harlan. At that time official 
red tape was not interwoven in the postoffice so closely as at pres- 
ent, and the mail, Avhich was extremely small, was kept in a nail- 
keg or candle-box and stowed away in a corner. As occasion re- 
quired, the box or keg was emptied out on the floor and the "boys" 
told to pitch in and sort the letters for themselves. The business 
of the office is now very large, and the candle-l)ox system cannot 
well be continued. The present postmaster is B. I. Kinsey, who 
has held the office about fourteen years. The office was made a 
money order office July 1st, 1877. 

The first mercantile business in Harlan was carried on by Dr. 
Ault, the founder of the town, who, about the time the tosvn was 
platted, put in a small stock of general merchandise. The greater 
portion of the goods was carried in his arms by the Doctor from 
some neighboring town. This, though the first store in Harlan, 
did not pay well, and it was soon closed out. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 400 

The newspapers of Harlan are three in nuriiber and all are paying 
property. The date of the establishment of the first newspaper iu 
Harlan or Shelby Connty is somewhat obscured by the dust of an- 
tiquity, but the "oldest inhabitant" sets down a paper known rfS 
the Courier, published at Shelby, as the first paper, issued in the 
county. The publisher's name is not given. Several papers were 
started in Harlan before either of the present ones, but none of 
them "came to stay." In regard to those now in Harlan, we quote 
the following from a local writer: 

The Harlan Herald was established in December, 1874, by Geo. 
Musgrave as a Republican journal, and has continued steadily on 
in that line to date. In 1875 George D. Ross purchased the office, 
and in 1876 he also bought the Shelby County Kecord, merged it 
into the Herald, continuing its publication until July 16th, 1877, 
when he sold the office and real estate to R. W. Robins. January 
17th. 1880, C. R. Pratt, of Essex, Connecticut, bought a half-in- 
terest, sold out in December, 1880, to E. R. Parmelee, and March 1st, 
1881, bought R. W. Robins' half interest. E. R. Parmelee came to 
Harlan iu October, 1880. An interest in the office was recently pur- 
chased by a brother of Mr. Pratt, the firm now being Pratt Brothers. 

Up to 1880 the paper was a seven -column quarto, when it was 
enlarged to nine columns, and served to a complete new dress, and 
an excellent cylinder power press adied to the office. It is the 
largest paper ever published in the county, and has a large circula- 
tion. It is issued weekly, on Thursdays. 

The Harlan Tribune, the first Democratic newspaper in Harlan, 
was established in June 1880, by U. S. Brown and A, D. Tinsley. 

U. S. Brown commenced the newspaper business about thirteen 
years ago as editor of the Moberly iJaih/, at Moberly, Mo. From 
there he went to Lawrence, Kansas, as city editor of the Kansas 
Daihj Tribune. About eight years ago he came to Iowa— first to 
Burlington as city editor of the Gazette; from there to Indianola, 
Warren county, as local editor of the Indianola Tribune. In Jan- 
nary, 1879, he came to Harlan and engaged with George D. Ross 
as editor of the Herald, continuing about four months. In the 
latter part of May he commenced canvassing for the establishment 
of the Tribune, and succeeded in working up for it a liberal 
patronage. In March, 1881, he was elected city assessor. 

The Tribune is now published by A, D. Tinsley. 

The Harlan Hub was established in December, 1880, by Webb 
M. Oungst, who commenced the newspaper business about twelve 
years ago, at the case, in Grand Junction. He was afterwards em- 
ployed by Mills & Co., of Des Moines, and with State Printer G. 
W. Edwards, and still later as foreman and localeditor of the Cres- 
ton Gazette, owning a half-interest therein. He came to Harlan, 
June 0th, 1879, and was foreman about two months in the Trib- 
une office, and thereafter foreman in the Herald office, until he es- 
tablished the Hub. The Hub, like its contemporaries, is flourishing. 

27 



410 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The stage facilities o£ Harlan are very adequate. Daily trips 
are made between Harlan and Kirkman, semi- weekly between 
Harlan and Denison, and tri-weekly between Harlan and Dunlap 
and intermediate points, Aveekly between Harlan and Logan. There 
is no trouble in obtaining transportation to almost any neighbor- 
ing point on either of the railroads in this section of Iowa. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Methodist Church Society. — This was the first religious society 
established in Harlan, and was organized in 1859 with one member, 
Aaron Bergstresser. The church was organized by Rev. J. J . 
Stewart, Presiding Elder. Harlan was formerly called Harlan 
Mission of the Council Bluffs District, Iowa Annual Conference. 
The records of the church are not in a very complete condition, 
but from them it is learned, that the first preacher to introduce 
worship in Shelby County, under the auspices of the M. E. church 
was Rev. H. A. Tarkington, not long before the establishment of 
the Harlan society. The first regular Methodist pastor appointed 
for Harlan was Rev. Kirtland Card, who came in the early part of 
1859. The present pastor is Rev. D. C. Franklin, who is now 
serving his third year. The church edifice was erected in 1872. It 
is in s^ze 30x50 feet, but a contract has been signed for enlarging 
the building. The church has in connection a flourishing Sabbath 
School of about 100 members. The school started shortly after 
the establishment of t/ie church. The present Superintendent is 
.1. M. True. 

TJie Christian Church.- — This society was organized February 
18th, 1876, by Rev. C. W. Sherwood. The first regular pastor was 
Elder T. V. Berry, who Avas installed some time during the organ- 
ization year. The society was organized with thirty-one members, 
but thirty-two names were sent in during the organization meet- 
ing, which made a total of sixty-three. The highest membership 
attained by the society was 122. The present membership, though 
over 100, is not quite up to this point. The church has a Sabbath 
School in connection, with an average attendance of about seventy. 
The school was started the same year. 'Ihe present Superinten- 
dent is Mrs. M. Nance. The church building was erected in the 
early part of 1880. Previous meetings were held in the Court 
House and elsewhere. The size of the building is 31x56 feet. 
Prayer meetings are held on every Wednesday evening. The 
present pastor is Elder J. P. Lucas, who came in October, 1881. 

Congregational Church Society . — A Congregational Society was 
organized in Harlan in July, 1871. There w^ere seven members at 
the outset, but six more names were eventually added, making 
thirteen in all. This society, which had at no time a regular pas- 
tor, fell into decay. A small Presbyterian Society, which had also 
been organized in Harlan, was likewise in a poor condition, and in 
October, 1878, the society held a joint meeting with a view to Ye- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 411 

organizing both societies as one. The result of tlie meeting was 
the disbanding of both societies, and the formation of a new one. 
A vote was taken as to the question of denominational precedence, 
and the result was a Congregational Society, which was organized 
November 10th, 1878. This society had twenty-three members. 
Prayer meetings were held on and after February 26th, 1879. The 
society was dependent on supplies for its preaching till July 1st, 
1879, when Rev. J. G. Sabin was appointed regular pastor. The 
church is at present served by Rex. E. L. Sherman, who has been 
in charge since August, 1881. Meetings are at present held in the 
Court House, but a frame church, 32x50 feet, is in course of con- 
struction, and Avill be completed within a few weeks. There is 
also a Sabbath School of about 125 members, of which M. K. 
Campbell is Superintendent. This school has been in existence 
since July 6th, 1879. The church has at present sixty-two mem- 
bers, and is in a healthy condition. 

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Daj/ Sai)its. — 
The Harlan branch of this society was organized during the year 
1872. The first regular pastor in Harlan was Elder Frank Rey- 
nolds, who came in 1872. The society was organized with fifteen 
members. Meetings have been usually held in the Court House, 
but now school houses in the suburbs are considerably used. The 
present pastor is Elder John Hardman. The present membership 
is forty-eight. It is still growing. The ladies of the society have 
organized for the purpose of raising a fund to be devoted to the 
erection of a church building, and a considerable sum of money 
has already been secured. It is expected that work will be com- 
menced on a building the coming summer. The church has no 
Sabbath School, though one is being organized. 

Baptist Church Society. — This society was organized in the year 
1868. Rev. James Lambert was the first pastor. The first meet- 
ings of the society were held in the school house, but in the sum- 
mer of 1870 a frame church 25x50 feet in flimensions, was erected. 
The present membership of the society is about 125, and it is in a 
prosperous condition. Rev. A. Jacobs is the minister. 

Independent School District of Harlan. — This district was or- 
ganized as an independent district in March, 1875. Previous to 
this it was a sub-district of Harlan township. The first School Di- 
rectors were: H. C. Holcomb, J. W. Chatburn, F. A. Bayer. Since 
then the law has been changed so as to recjuire six Directors. The 
Secretary and Treasurer are also independent of the Board. The 
following are the present members of the. Board: N. W. Macv, 
President; C. J. Wyland, E. B. Moore. M. M. Bechtel. AV. A. 
Gray, G. W. Cullison. F. A. Bayer is Secretary and 0. P. Wy- 
land Treasurer. The present school building is a four-room frame 
structure, built in 1875. Two other rooms are rented. Six teach- 
ers are employed. The Principal is A. K. Lind, and thesurbordin- 
ates W. K. Colburn, Mrs. M. E. McArthur, Miss A. George, Mrs. 



412 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

M. E. Downey and Mrs. L. E. Waite. The present school f'acili- 
tiesbeing inadequate, it was voted in March, 1881, to bond the 
district for $18,000 and build a brick school house. This building 
is now in course of construction. It will be three stories high 
and contain nine rooms, furnished with all modern conveniences. 
The building will be heated by steam. The number of pupils in 
the district is now considerably over -400. 

Parian Lodge No. 2>21, A. F. & A. M.—A dispensation was 
granted this Lodge November 30th. 1872. The charter is dated 
June 4th, 1873. The first elective officers were: John Fritz, W. 
M.; W. J. Davis, S. W.; J. H. Louis, J. W.; H. S. Burke, T.; 
Wm. Wyland, S. There were but twelve members Avhen the Lodge 
was started. The present elective officers are: P. B. Hunt, W. 
M.; J. W. Chatburn, S. W.; W. W. Girton, J. W.; D. M. Wy- 
land, T.; S. A. Burke, S. The membership at present is fifty, a 
gain of seven since the annual report. The Lodge meets on the 
Saturday' on or before the full moon in each month. The place of 
meeting is Masonic Hall, owned by the Lodge. The hall is 22x68 
feet in dimensions and is well furnished. 

Harlan Lodge No. 261, I. 0. 0. F. — This Lodge was instituted 
February 2Gth, 1873, by D. D. G. M. Ben Newman, of Council 
Bluifs. There were eleven charter members. The first elective 
officers were: Samuel Potter, N. G.; N. Booth, V. G.; D. M. 
Wyland, S.; W. S. Stutsman, T. The present officers are: W. 
M. Oungst, N. G^; S. K. Pratt, Y. G.; Wm. Bowlin, R. S.; 0. F. 
Graves, T.; A. K. Riley, P. S. The Lodge noAv has fifty-seven 
members,and liPS of late received numerous accessions. The meet- 
ings are held on every Friday night in Odd Fellows' Hall, Long's 
Block. The Lodge Room is well fitted up, and one of the things 
worthy of note in this connection is a handsome emblematic car- 
pet. Application has been made for a charter for an Encampment. 

V. A. S. Fraternity. — The Harlan section of this society, which 
has for its object mutual insurance, was organized June 7th, 1880. 
The first officers were: 0. F. Graves, Rector; Riley Cass, Vice- 
Rector; J. W. Beems, Scribe; G. W. Bumphrey, Usher; D. W. 
Chase, Questor; S. F. Hurless, A. B. King, J, W. Cartlich, Cura- 
tors; R. E. Floyd, Speculator. There were nineteen charter mem- 
bers. The present officers are: James McArthur, Rector; A. B. 
King, Vice-Rector; C. Will Fisher, Scribe; J. S. Ferguson, 
Questor; E.G. Colburn, Usher; J. W^. Beems, Speculator. 

Harlan Lodge, Iowa Legion of Honor . — This Lodge was or- 
ganized July 26th, 1881. There were twenty-six charter mem- 
bers. The first officers were: J. W. Harrod, W. P.;G. W. 
Cullison, V . P . ; Thomas H . Smith, R . S . ; W . H . Frazey, F . S . ; 
S. K. Pratt, T.; Rev. D. C. Franklin, C; J. F. Huntzinger, 
U. ; E. R. Steinhilber, D. ;S. W. Matters, M. ; J. Dunlavy, W. 
H. Axline, M. E's.; W. H. Carl, E. S. Burgin, C A. 
Mentzer, Trustees. The present officers are: G. W. Cullison, W. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 413 

P.; E. B. Steinhilber, V. P.; C. A. Mentzer, R. S.; T. J. Jones, 
F. S.; S. K. Pratt, T.; Thos. H. Smith, C; J. F. Huntzinger, U.; 
Daniel Chase, D.; L. B. Tameseia^ S.; Jas. McConnel, W. Carl, E. 
S. Burgin, Trustees. 

Harlan Lodge No. 103, ui. 0. U. W. — This Lodge was organ- 
ized June 12th, 1879, by J. J. Stuckly, of Des Moines. Meetings 
are held every Friday evening. The first officers were: W, W. 
Girton, M. W.; U. S. Brown, P. M. W.; B. I. Kinsev, F.; T. J. 
Robinson, 0.; 0. P. Wyland, F. R.: John R. Lehman, Fin.; E. B. 
Moore, Recr.; J. R. Wyerly, G.; J. F. Wyland, L W.; C. Happe, 
0. W.; E.J. Trowbridge, E. S. Burgin, J. H. Waite, Trustees. 
There were twenty-eight charter members. The present officers 
are: 0. S. Reynolds, P. M. W.; George E. Bennett, M. W.; S. 
H. Watters, R.; ^Y. W. Girton, F.; L. P. Christianson, 0.; 0. P. 
Wyland, Rec; C. Happe, G.; H. F. Locke, W.; T. J. Robinson, 
Trustee; E. A. Cobb, M.D., Med. Ex. The present membership 
of the Lodge is twenty-one. 

Shelby County Agricultural Society. — This society was started 
about seven years ago by a few citizens, but it did not assume any 
particular prominence until within the past three or four years, 
and it was not a paying institution. The society started with but 
ten acres of land, whereas now it has forty. The fair grounds 
join the northeast portion of the town-site. The last two exhibi- 
tions have not only been well attended, but have more than paid 
expenses. Greater things are hoped for in the future. The grounds 
are provided with a good floral hall, an amphitheatre capable of 
holding 1,000 people, stabling for forty horses, good judges' stand, 
and one of the finest half-mile race-tracks in the State, all of which 
are enclosed by a tight board fence. In 1880, the society paid out 
^1,400 in premiums, and in 1881, fll,500. The present officers are 
T. Ledwich, President; C. C. Redfield, Secretary. 

Utile Dulce Club. — This club which has been organized but a 
few weeks, has about thirt3'-five members. Its objects are physi- 
cal and social improvement, D. M. Wyland is President. Meet- 
ings are held in Long's Hull every night in the week. 



414 HISTORY OF lOTVA. 



SHELBY COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES, 



HARLAN. 

W. E. Armstrong, barber, formerly of Humboldt, Humboldt 
county, la. (where he was engaged in business two years) came to 
Harlan in Dec, 1880, and established his present business on the 
west side of square; moved to his present room, which adjoins 
the City Hotel office, in Oct., 1881. He runs two chairs, keeping 
one man to assist. 

William Baughn, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Wash- 
ington, Fayette county, 0., in Nov., 1857; moved with parents to 
Harrison county, la.; thence in 1866 to Council Bluffs, and to 
Shelby county in 1869, and engaged in farming until 1875, then 
engaged in the livery business at Harlan, which he continued about 
a year, sold to Elias Monroe, and returned to farming. In 1878 
he engaged in the stock business. His office is in the Stock and 
Grain Exchange, on the southeast corner of the square. 

Hiram Baughn, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, is one of the 
oldest settlers of Shelby county, la., and has a fine stock farm of 
140 acres. 

Merrills Barton, farmer, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., in 
1823, and at four years of age moved with parents to Chautauqua 
county. In 1852 he moved to Waupaca county. Wis., where he 
engaged in farming until 1870, when he moved to Mitchell county, 
la., and the following year came to Shelby county, locating two 
miles east of Harlan. He owns a farm of 131 acres, where he re- 
sides, and another of 600 acres in Douglas township. They are 
both well improved stock farms. He was elected a member of the 
Board of Supervisors. 

F. A. Bayer, M. D., was born in Dansville, N. Y., in 1840. In 
1862 he enlisted in the 130th N. Y. Vol., was in several of the 
most important battles; was wounded at Opequan Creek, near 
Winchester, Va., and was discharged in 1864. He returned to N. 
Y.; afterwards entered the Medical College at Cincinnati, 0.; from 
which he graduated in 1867, and moved to Benton county, la., 
and there engaged in the practice of medicine for four years. In 
1872 he came to Harlan and opened his present office. 

N. Booth, dealer in agricultural implements, wagons, carriages, 
etc.; came to Shelby county, la., in 1871, from Cal. He engaged 
in farming until 1881; then bought an interest in business of E. 
J. Trowbridge; afterwards purchased the entire business and 
pi'emises on Upper Second street. He handles Deering's twine bind- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 4 15 

ers, N. C. Thompson's goods, of Kockford, 111.; Moline Plow Co.'s 
goods, Norwegian Plow Co.'s goods, Davenport Co.'s goods, Court- 
land Wagon Co.'s goods, and is special agent for J. I. Case's ma- 
chinery and Aultman & Taylor's threshing machines. 

J. V. Brazie, stock raiser and farmer, was born in Schoharie 
county, N. Y., in April, 1853; in 1863 he moved with parents to 
Albany; thence the same year to Lapeer county, Mich. In 1864 
he removed to Rochester, N. Y., and the year following to Butler 
county, la., and to Harlan in the spring of 1806. In 18-17 he at- 
tended the University at Des Moines; engaged in teaching several 
terms, and in 1875 engaged in farming. In 187G, he purchased 
the livery stock of E. "Monroe; conducted business until May, 1881; 
then sold to E. C. Swain, and continues farming, paying special 
attention to the raising of pure Berkshire and Poland China hogs. 

M. M. Bechtell, grain dealer, was born in Hagerstown, Me., in 
1822; remained there until 1843; then studied for the ministry at 
Pennsylvania College, from which he graduated in 1874; then took 
a course in the theological seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.; was 
licensed as a preacher in the Lutheran church, and ordained in 
1853; moved to Somerset county the following year; continued 
preaching, and also engaged in the lumber business. In 1858 he mov- 
ed to Cumberland county. Me., and continued the lumber trade; in 
1865 was engaged in the oil trade in Pa., and the following year 
removed to Victor, la., and engaged in farming; thence to Mitch- 
ellville in 1873, and engaged in the grain business; the next year 
to Lennox, Taylor county, where he built a mill and remamedfour 
years; removed to Essex, Page county, and engaged in the mercan- 
tile business; thence to Harlan in 1879, and engaged in the hard- 
ware business, which he sold to Mr. Snively; then built elevator 
number two, and engaged in his present business. 

Irving W. Beems, justice of the peace and insurance agent, was 
born in Muskingum county, 0., in 1847; removed with parents to 
Jasper county, la., in 1856; was in the employ of the C. & K. I. 
railroad company several years, and in April, 1875, moved to 
Shelby county, and engaged in farming in Jackson township, un- 
til Sept., 1878, when he moved to Harlan, and engaged in the in- 
surance business; is special agent for the Underwriters, of N. \.; 
Gemania, of N. Y.; Westchester, of N. Y.; N. Y. City Fire Ins. Co.; 
American, of Philadelphia; Springfield Fire and Marine Ins. Co.; 
Iowa State, of Keokuk; and Hawkeye, of Des Moines. Office on 
the north side of public square. He was elected justice of the 
peace in 1881, on the republican ticket. He was married in 1868, in 
Jasper county, to Sarah E. Plummer, and has four children. 

Charles Bergstresser, harness maker, was born in Snyder county, 
Pa., in 1847; moved with parents to Harlan in 1865. His father 
established the first harness shop in the county; he worked 
for his father two years: was employed by P. Louchbr in Nov., 



416 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

1875; remained with him three years, and then purchased the busi- 
ness; keeps two men employed, and carries a full stock of every- 
thing in his line. 

Henry S. Burk, justice of the peace and collecting agent, was 
born in Southeastern Ky., Sept. 23rd, 1816; moved to Decatur 
county, Ind., in 1827, where he resided until coming to Shelby 
county, la., in 1869; engaged in farming and gardening. In 1877 
he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds. 

S. A. Burk, attorney at law, was born in Decatur county, Ind., 
in 1853; came to la. with parents in 1869; received his education, 
at Moore's Hill College, Ind.; read law with Hon. Piatt Wick, was 
admitted to practice in Mar., 1878, and became a partner with Mr. 
W., which partnership was dissolved in 1880, when Mr. Burk 
opened his present office in Harlan. 

W. H. Carl, of the firm of Carl & Graves, dealers in furniture^ 
and undertakers; was born in AVapello county, la., in 1849, 
learned carpentering, and in 1872 located at Harlan,and engaged in 
contracting and building in partnership with W. H. Griffith; in 
1876 they bought out the furniture business of William Stanley. 
In Mar., 1880, Mr. Griffith sold his interest in the business to Mr. 
Graves. They have a fine business house, carry a large and com- 
plete stock of everything in their line, and in connection own a 
handsome hearse that cost ^800. Mr, Carl is a member of the I. 
0. 0. F. In May, 1880, he was married at Harlan to Miss 
A. C. Bergstresser. 

Riley Cass, proprietor of the Harlan steam carriage and wagon 
factory and blacksmith shop, was born in Chautauqua county, N. 
Y., in 1831; there learned his trade, and in 1853 moved to Van 
Buren county, la.; thence to Harlan in 1874, and established his 
present business in 1877, with a very small capital, in what is now 
his wood-work shop; added a blacksmith shop in 1879, and later in 
the same year added an engine room and polishing room; has a 
twelve-horse power, horizontal engine, also machinery for plow- 
work and sawing. He employs in his paint shop R. W. Straley, 
who is a painter and finisher of long experience. This factory 
has gainedan extensive repatation for its fine work, having none 
but competent workmen employed. Mr. C. was married in 1856 
to Sarah Brown, and has" five children. 

Hon. J. W. Chatburn, proprietor of the Harlan and the Shelby 
Mills, was born at Sabden. England, in 1821; served an apprentice- 
ship there as millwright, and in 1845 came to America; was en- 
gaged in milling at Philadelphia, Pa., five years; removed in 1850 
to Kanesville — now Council Bluffs — la.; remained two years; re- 
moved to Harrison county and took a claim near the present town 
of Magnolia; built a mill' in 1853, which Avas the first mill north 
of the Bover river; remained there until 1869; then moved to near 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 417 

the present town of Woodbine, and built what was afterwards 
known as Dunmire's mill. In 1867 he built the Harlan mill, 
which he still owns, and in connection has a flour, exchange, sale 
and feed store in Harlan, which is managed by J, Hersey. In 
1878, Mr. Chatburn erected the Shelby steam mills, at Shelby, 
which are run by Thomas Chatburn. Mr. J. W. Chatburn was 
elected county judge of Harrison county for two years, and is a 
member of the county board. 

Warren Closson, of the firm of Clossou & Hardie, wholesale deal- 
ers and shippers of butter, eggs, etc., was born in Delaware county, 
0., in 1834:. He served in the Avar of the rebellion, and at its 
close located in Ind., and in ISOl) removed to Pella, la.; thence to 
Harlan in 1871; has been justice of the peace eight years; is a 
member of the I. 0. 0. F. and A. F. & A. M. orders; was mayor of 
this city in 1880, and in Nov., 1881, engaged in his present busi- 
ness with Mr. Hardie. He was married in 1862 at Fort Wayne, 
Ind., to Fannie Hardie, and has six children. 

L. C. Cooper, barber, purchased his business in April, 1881, of Geo, 
Jackson, who established it in Jan., 1881. His shop is on the 
west side of square. It is well furnished. He has two chairs, and 
employs one man. Mr. C. was formerly in business at Avoca, la. 

John Coenen, of the firm of Coenen & Luecke, proprietors of 
the one-price clothing store; dealers in clothing, hats, caps, gents 
furnishing goods, boots, shoes, etc., also have merchant tailoring 
in connection. He came from Marion county, la., to Harlan in 
1878, and established a lumber yard; in 1880, built the corner 
block, also the brick store building occupied by the clothing store, 
and two business houses adjoining. He sold the lumber business 
to John Reid & Co. Mr. C. is vice-president of and a stock-holder 
in the Shelby county bank. H. Luecke came from Carroll county 
to Harlan in Dec, 1880; formed his present partnership in 1881. 

Mr. CuUison, of the firm of Smith & CuUison, attorneys at law, 
graduated from the State Normal School, of Kirksville, Mo., in 
1870; was conductor and principal of the Troy Normal School, 
from 1871 to 1875. He studied law w^ith A. A. J. Allerton, of 
Kirksville, and was admitted to the bar in 187G; was associate 
principal of the Southern Iowa scientific institute, and superin- 
tendent of the city schools of Allerton, Wayne 'ounty, la.; thence 
came to Harlan and formed his present partnership in Jan., 1881. 

J. W. DeSilva, attorney at law, was born in Gilboa, Schoharie 
county, N. Y., in 1831; attended the Gilboa Seminary, and in 
1851 graduated from the Charlotteville Seminary; then began the 
study of law in the office of Hon. Lyman Treniaine, and was ad- 
mitted to tne bar in 1859; practiced for one year at Sullivan^ and 
in 1869 came to Shelby county, la., locating at Old Harlan. His 
office is on Court street, opposite city building. 



418 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

F. B. Eshelman, dentist, was born in Foreston, Ogle county, 111.; 
began the study of dentistry with Dr. C. W. Chamberlain, of 
Lanark, Carroll county, la., in 18()2; remained there until 1880; 
then located at Harlan, and formed a partnership with Dr. Frazey, 
whom he bought out in Oct., 1881. He has a fine, well furnished 
office, on the second floor of Long's block, of three rooms — recep- 
tion room, operating room and labratory. 

C. Will. Fisher, photographer, was born in 1849; came 
to Harlan in 1876, and established his present business, 
which was the first in the county. His close application 
to business, and the fine work produced, has gained him a reputa- 
tion as an artist. Gallery on East Second street, one door south 
of Herald office. He is a member of the V. A. S., beneficiary 
society. In 1875 he was married at Andalusia, 111., to Rachel M. 
Parker. They have three children. 

Dr. L. D. Frost, druggist, was born in Morrow county, 0., in 
Aug., 1834; removed to Guthrie county, la., in the fall of 1854; 
engaged in running the hotel and stage station at the old town of 
Morrisburg, and devoted much time to the study of medicine. 
The following year he removed to his present location, on the 
south side of the square, where he has a fine stock of drugs, gro- 
ceries, confectionery, etc. He has an elegant private office, and 
fine library in connection. This was the first drug store in Shelby 
county. He was elected city treasurer in 1881. In 1854 te was 
married in Morrow county, 0., to Lydia Babcock. He has an 
orchard of ten acres adjoining town, with one thousand bearing 
apple trees, and quantities of small fruit. This is the largest 
orchard in the county. 

E. Gish. proprietor of the Central House, formerly known as 
the Swain House; was born in Va. in 1837; moved with parents to 
Green county, 0., in 1847; thence, in 1856, to Jasper county, la., 
and engaged in farming, until 1864; then moved to Shelby county, 
bought two hundred acres of well improved land in Harlan town- 
ship, and there engaged in farming until Apr., 1881, when he 
moved to Harlan and engaged in the hotel business. He has been 
engaged in this business before, and keeps a first-class house. He 
was married in 1867, at Bowman's Grove, la., to Marrietta Poling, 
and has two children. 

"G. S. Gibbs, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Ypsilan- 
ti City, Mich., in 1848; removed to Harlan. la., in 1869, and was 
in the employ of J. W. & E. W. Davis. They had at that time 
the only business house in the town. He remained with them five 
years, and was employed by J. B. Stutsman until 1876; and in 
partnership with J. Jackson established his present business July 
1st, 187U. He purchased Mr. Jackson's interest, and now carries 
on the business alone; has a very fine stock, and does a lively busi- 



II 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 419 

ness. Has a branch business at Irwin, which is conducted by W. 
W. Gibbs, under the firm name of W. W. Gibbs & Co. Mr. G. S. 
Gibbs has just completed a very fine brick residence in Harlan at 
a cost of $7,000. He Avas the first city treasurer of this place, and 
is at present a member of the council, also of the board of super- 
visors. Is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and I. 0. 0. F. lodges. 
He was married Jan., 1875, at Council Bluft's, to Delia Baughn, 
daughter of Hon. Chas. Baughn. They have one son and one 
daughter. 

J. T. Graham, of the firm of Graham & Munger, hardware deal- 
ers, came to Harlan, la., in Dec, 1880 from Sharon, Mahaska 
coanty, where he was engaged in business three years. Jan. 1st, 
1881, he bought a half-interest in the hardware store of E. J. 
Trowbridge, who sold the remainder to Mr. Munger June 18th, 
1881. They have a full stock of everything in their line; keep 
two men employed, and a first-class tinner: have telephone con- 
nections. 

0. F. Graves, of the firm of Carl & Graves, was born in Water- 
town, Jefferson county, N. Y.,in 1848; there learned carpenter and 
joiner's trade; was for seven years engineer on the R. W. & 0. 
Rj.; four years on the N. Y. & 0. M. Ry., and one year on the U. 
P. Ry. In 1875 he opened the sash, blind, and door factory of 
Graves & Van Doren, at Watertown, and in March, 1880, came to 
Harlan, la., and formed his present partnership. He is a member 
of the I. 0. 0. F. and V. A. S. orders. 

S. W. Harmon, of the firm of Seeland & Harmon, proprietors of 
the temperance billiard hall, on East Market street. This firm 
has three Brunswick & Balke Co.'s billiard tables, and two 
pool tables. The room is fitted up in first-class style; keeps for 
sale cigars, cider and soda water. 

Lucien Herbert, proprietor of saloon on west side of square, was 
born in Luxemburg, Ger.; is a graduate from the Luxemburg Uni- 
versity, which he attended six years, graduating in 1878; came to 
the U. S. in 1879, and located at Wesphalia, Shelby county, la.; 
moved to Harlan in May, 1881. 

J. A. Hardie, of the firm of Closson & Hardie, was born in Rock- 
port, N. Y., in 1858; moved to Pella, la,, in 1869; was for four 
years foreman for R. P. Brown, at Grand Junction; has had nine 
years experience in present business. Their place of business is in 
the basement of Coenen's block. 

Harry Howell, boot and shoe-maker, was born in Somerset, 
England, in 1848; came to America in 1868, first locating at N. 
Y. City: worked at trade there for six years; removed to Harlan, 
la., in the autumn of 1875; was in the employ of P. Louchor, har- 
ness, boot and slice-maker, three years; then purchased the boot 
and shoe business; continued in the same place one year, and built 



420 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

his present place of business in 1879 in partnership with Charles 
Bergstresser. He is now doing a good business; keeps two men 
employed. 

H. C. Holcomb, clerk of the courts, was born in 1823, 
in Essex county, N. Y.; moved to Kanesville, la., in 1853; was en- 
gaged in teaching school in Mills and Pottawattamie counties un- 
til 1858; then came to Harlan, which was just laid out, and erected 
the first house in the town, and engaged in carpentry, until 1859, 
when he was elected clerk of the courts; was re-elected in 1860, 1862 
and 1864; was defeated in 1860, and re-elected in 1868 and 1870; 
was not a candidate for the next term, but was re-elected in 1878 
and 1880. He was married in 1802 to Elizabeth A. McCoy, and 
has one son. 

D. S. Irwin, attorney at law, came to Washington county, la., 
in 1805, from Pa. In the spring of 1870 he removed to Shelby 
county, and engaged in farming for several years, teaching school 
during the winters; was admitted to the bar at circuit court, at 
Harlan, in Mar., 1881, Judge Loofborow presiding; then engaged 
in the practice of law at Irwin, a new town on the Iowa Southern 
Ry. It was named after Mr. Irwin, having been laid out on his 
land. His office is in the postoffice building. 

Hon. Thomas Ledwich, of the firm of Ledwioh, Hunt & Long, 
dealers in lumber, coal, lime and cement; was born in Canada in 
1841; came to the U. S. with parents, and located in N. Y. In the 
spring of 1801 he enlisted in the 2nd N. Y. Cav.: was wounded at 
the second battle of Bull Run. He was at the battle of Fredricks- 
burg, the fall of Mobile, and several other important battles, 
and was discharged in 1805; remained in Ky. two years; then re- 
moved to Avoca, la., and in June, 1869, shipped the first car-load 
of lumber into that place that was ever received there, and opened 
a lumber yard. In 1871 he started the first newspaper of the place, 
called the Avoca Delta, which he sold after two 3'ears. He re- 
moved to Harlan in 1879, and formed his present partnership. 
Their office is on Market street; adjoining it is the door and sash 
room, and in connection they manufacture Fry's patent combina- 
tion wood and wire fence, having the right for Shelby county. 
They keep four men employed, make sixty rods per day. Their 
large and well stocked lumber yard fronts Market and Court streets. 
Mr. Hunt was in business with Mr. L. at Avoca previous to com- 
ing to this place, and was the builder of the first steam mill there. 
Mr. Ledwich is president of the Shelby county fair association; has 
been president of the 'Botna Valley District Agricultural Society, 
he is mayor of the city, and has been a member of the council 
several years. 

James M. Long, of the firm of Ledwich, Hunt & Long, came to 
Shelby county, la., in the spring of 1856, and located within three- 
fourths of a mile of the present town of Harlan; bought eight 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 421 

liuiulred acres of land in this and Harrison counties, and engaged 
in farming; two years later, the old town of Harlan was located, 
and in 1859 Mr. L. laid out the present town, which joins the old 
town on the south, and was called Long's addition. The same year 
the county seat was moved here from Shelbyville, and the year 
following he built the old court house; in ISTO he erected the 
Harlan House; six years later, the first brick l)usiness block in the 
town, on the north side of the square; in 1878, he built another 
business block on the southwest corner of the square, and the City 
Hotel, and a brick building in rear of the hotel used as a saloon; 
and now has in course of erection the new opera house, which is 
to be a first class opera house with all of the latest improvements. 
It will have three store-rooms on the ground floor, two in front 
and one in the rear. Besides these buildings, he owns a fine resi- 
dence, livery barn, and other town and country property. In 1800 
he was married at Jeddo, Harrison county, to Hattie McCoid. 

Cyrus Mentzer. dealer in groceries and cj^ueensware, came to 
Harlan in the spring of 1880, from Marion, Linn county, la., where 
he was in business for eight 3'ears. He engaged in his present 
business with J. Jackson, and in the spring of 1881 bought Mr. 
J's. interest. He now employs three clerks, runs a delivery wagon 
for city trade, and carries one of the largest stocks of goods in his 
line in the city; store in Coenen's block, on the northeast corner 
of the square. 

Jame? E. Miller, harness maker, was born in Ky. in 1851; moved 
Avith parents to Mexico, thence to Audrian county, Mo., where he 
learned his trade; then came to Ottumwa, la., and worked with J. 
Taylor; afterwards to Des Moines, and was with F. Butler. In 
1875 he came to Harlan, and was in the employ of E. E. Swain 
for two years, and after taking a trip to the Black Hills, took 
charge of the business for G. H. Walker, who sold to E. B. Gard 
in Sept., 1870. He continued in the business for Mr. G. until 
April 7th, 1880, when he purchased the business. He now keeps 
four men employed, and keeps constantly on hand a large and 
complete stock of harness, saddles, whips, etc.; also has a branch 
establishment at Irwin. He is a member of the A. 0. \J. W. or- 
der. Sept. 12th, 1878, he was married at Harlan to Hattie Brazie, 
and has two children. 

Myerly, Sheller & Harrod, attorneys at law, land, loan, insur- 
ance and abstract office. The business was established in 1879, by 
R. E. Carruthers. Messrs. J. B. Myerly & Co. purchased the office 
Jan. 1st, 1880, D. B. Sheller joining in March of the same 3'ear, 
and Mr. Harrod in Jan., 1881, thus forming the present partner- 
ship. Mr. Myerly came to Harlan from Des Moines, and is a 
graduate from the Iowa City University; attends to the law prac- 
tice of the firm. Mr. Sheller came from Dallas Center, Avhere he 
was for several years in the Dallas Center bank; Mr. Harrod, is 



422 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

from Shelby, this county. Mr. H. was elected county treasurer in 
the fall of 1879, and at the expiration of the term became a part- 
ner in the present firm. They have an extensive and growing 
business, are agents for the Hamburg American Packet Company, 
Red Star Line, and American Steamship Company, for the sale of 
emigrant tickets, and have a complete set of abstract books of this 
county. 

J. S. Murray, of the firm of J. S. Murray & Co., proprietors of 
elevator No. 1, on the west side of the track of the Harlan branch 
of the C, R. I. & P. Ry.; was born in Canada in 1837; came to the 
U. S. in 1875, located at Avoca, la., and engaged in the grain 
business; was proprietor of the Avoca elevator. He came to Har- 
lan in 1878, built the elevator, and engaged in his present busi- 
ness. He has a branch business at Defiance, on a branch of the 
C, M. & St. P. Ry., which is conducted by Miles & Miles. The 
Avoca business was conducted by P. F. Murray until Sept., 1880, 
Avhen he came to Harlan, and became a member of the above firm. 
They also handle Des Moines and Oskaloosa hard and soft coal. 

J. W. Newby, dealer in agricultural implements, sewing ma- 
chines, organs, etc., was born in N. C, in 1849; moved with his 
parents to Carroll county. Ind.; thence to Mills county, la., in 
1867, and to Shelby county the following year, locating one and 
one-half miles east of Harlan, on what was known as the Baughn 
farm. In 1875 he moved to Harlan, and established his present 
business, which is now located on West Market street. He is 
agent for the White, Domestic, and Household sewing machines, 
and for Furst & Bradley's, Walter A. Wood's Wier Co.'s., and 
Aultman, Miller & Co.'s goods, and for other leading manufac- 
tories. He has a branch establishment at Irwin, 

Dallas F. Paul, county auditor, w^as born in Saratoga, N. Y., in 
1846; moved to Mills county, la., in 1866, and engaged in farming 
for ten years; then moved to Shelby county, and located in Cass 
township, where he owns 728 acres of land, well improved for 
stock purposes. He was elected to his present office in 1881. 

Andrew Peterson, merchant tailor, was born in Denmark, in 
1830, learned his trade and was engaged in business there; came 
to America in Sept., 1873, and located at Troy, N. Y.; moved to 
Schenectady, and was in the employ of Holtzman & Fritzmaurice, 
as foreman in their tailoring department for two and one-half 
years. In the fall of 1876 he came to Harlan and established his 
present business. 

R. M. Pomeroy, county treasurer, was born in Franklin county. 
Pa., in 1849; moved to Louisa county, la., in 1872; was engaged in 
busmess at Morning Sun, and three years later moved to Shelby, 
Shelby county, and engaged in the mercantile business, which he 
still owns. He is mayor of Shelby. He was elected county treas- 
urer in 1881. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 423 

W. R. Parker, proprietor of billiard parlor and sample rooms, in 
rear of City Hotel, (formerly of Missouri Valley) established his 
present business in Nov., 1880. Has two Brunswick, Balke & Co.'s 
billiard tables, and one pool table. 

H. C. & E. 1). Potter, of the firm of Potter Bros., proprietors 
of the steam wagon, blacksmith and machine shop, on West Market 
street; came to Harlan, la., in Nov., 1878, from Whiteside county. 
III., and established his present business. They have a four-horse 
engine, and employ three blacksmiths and one wood woiker. They 
make a specialty of building fine light buggies and track sulkies to 
order. 

C. R. Pratt, of the firm of Pratt Bros., proprietors of the 
Harlan Herald, edits and conducts the paper. It was established 
in 1875 by Geo. Musgrave, is republican, and the official paper of 
the county, is thoroughly fitted for jobbing purposes; has a fine 
Campbell power press. 

J. H. & E. W. Reynolds, of the firm of Rej'^nolds Bros., con- 
tractors and builders, located at Harlan in 1879, shop on East 
Market street, where they employ two men, do Avagon work in con- 
nection. They are from Keokuk, la., are thorough workmen, and 
capable of handling large contracts. 

John Reed & Co., dealers in lumber, lime, cement, coal, and 
paints, were formerly of Rock Island, 111., where they were en- 
gaged in the lumber business; came to Harlan in Dec, 1880, and 
purchased the business of Coenen & Fairchild, on Upper Third 
street. Mr. John Reed conducts the business at Harlan; they have 
a branch establishment at Kirkman. 

Ramsey Bros., dealers in clothing, boots, shoes, and gents' fur- 
nishing goods; came to Harlan from Prairie City, Jasper county, 
la. The business was established in the spring of 1879, by Hol- 
defer & Ramse}'^; the former sold his interest in Jan., 1882, to J. 
H. & J. W. Ramsey, who with their brother W. H. constitute the 
present firm. They carry an immense stock of goods, and do a 
flourishing business; store on north side of square. They have a 
branch house at Irwin, under the charge of J. W. Ramsey, 

Frank and Albert Reynolds, of the firm of Reynolds & Co., photog- 
raphers, formerly of Keokuk county, la.; learned their trade at 
Des Moines, and came to Harlan in the spring of 1879; established 
business in Sept., 1880. They occupy four rooms in Coenen's 
block, on the second floor. They make a specialty of copying and 
enlarging. 

Alden K. Riley, attorney at law, loan and abstract ofiice; was 
born in Schoharie county, N. Y., in 1852; began attendance at the 
Fort Edwards Institute, N. Y., in 1808, and graduated in 1872; 
then entered Princeton College, N. J., obtained a degree in 1876, 
and entered the law firm of Krum & Grant, at Schoharie; removed 



424 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

in the following year to Jeflfersou, Greene county. la.; there en- 
tered the law lirni of Russel & Toliver, and was also professor of 
mathematics at the Jefferson Academy. In April, 1878, he came 
to Harlan, and opened an office. He is one of the stockholders 
and directors of the Shelby county bank, also attorney for the 
bank; office in Coenen's block, front room up-stairs. He is a 
member of the I. 0. 0. F. August 27th, 1878, he was married at 
Harlan to Betta M, Hard, and has one child, Alden K'. 

Geo. D. Ross, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Jefferson 
county, N, Y., in Dec, 1842. He enlisted at the commencement 
of the war in Co. G, 21st Wis. Inft.; was in a number of impor- 
tant battles; was wounded at Atlanta, Ga,, necessitating the am- 
putation of his right arm; was discharged in 1865. In May, 1872, 
he came to Harlan, purchased property and engaged in teaching 
school. In the fall of the same year he was elected clerk of the 
courts, and re-elected twice on the republican ticket. He estab- 
lished the first livery in the town, in the spring of 1873, which he 
sold after two years. He had the mail route between Harlan and 
Dunlap, and carried mail and express between Harlan and Avoca, 
for several years. In Aug., 1875, he bought the Herald printing 
office, of Geo. Musgrave, and in Feb., 1876, bought the Record 
printing office, combined them, and published the Herald until 
1879; then bought farms joining town, one of eighty acres on the 
west, and 160 acres, one mile northeast of town. He also owns 
valuable town property. 

John Rogers & Son, proprietors of restaurant and bakery, deal 
in staple and fancy groceries, confectionery, etc. They came to 
Harlan, in Dec, 1881, and purchased the stock and business of 
Lew Tamesiea on the east side of the square. They employ a first 
class baker and confectioner, keep day boarders and furnish lunches, 
ice cream, oysters, soda water, etc. 

J. S. Snively, hardware dealer, came from Carroll county, 111., 
where he had been engaged in teaching school, to Harlan, la., Oct. 
1st, 1880, and established his present business, on the north side 
of the square. He carries a full stock of everything in his line; 
keeps three men employed; is the sole agent in the town for the 
Glidden barb wire. 

Samuel Smith was born in Guernsey county, 0., in 1836; re- 
moved to Guthrie county, la., in 1857, and engaged in farming. 
He engaged in freighting to Denver, Col., in 1861 and 1862; 
then returned to Guthrie county, where he remained until 1869; 
then came to Shelby county; engaged in teaching several years, 
and previous to the coming of the railroad to Harlan, ran freight- 
ing teams between there and Avoca. 

Mr. Smith, of firm of Smith & Cullison, came to Harlan from 
Bloomfield, Davis county, la., where he studied law with M. H. 
Jones, was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1878, and came to 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 425 

this city the same 3'ear, and formed a j)artnerdiip with P. C. Tru- 
man, which continued three years. Mr. T. then sold his interest 
to Mr. Cullison, in Jan., 1881, thus forming the above firm. 

Joseph Stiles, attorney at law, and land loan and insurance 
agent, was born in ()., in 1846; removed to Benton county, la., in 
1853; thence to Western, Linn county, in 1856; there attended 
college, and in 1867 moved to Jefferson, Green county, where he 
engaged in teaching school. In 1873 he began the study of law, 
Avith Henderson & Howard. The following year he was admitted to 
the bar, in the district court. Judge Reed presiding. He was asso- 
ciated in practice with Judge Potter, of that place, one year; re- 
moved to Harlan in the autumn of 1875, and opened an office; was 
elected justice of the peace in 1877, which office he held two terms. 

Steinhilber & Schnuettgen, dealers in furniture, and undertakers; 
established business April 1st, 1880. They command and occupy 
for the retail business the store building on Market street, having 
sales-room, work-shop and ware-room below, and on the second 
floor the finishing and undertaking rooms, in which they employ 
two men, a wood worker and ^nisher. Their factory on Third 
street employs from twenty to thirty men. They do a large whole- 
sale business. E. R. Steinhilber was formerly engaged in the stock 
business in Davenport. Mr. Schnuettgeii is by trade a fresco painter; 
worked several years in Philadelphia, Pa., and Milwaukee, VVis. He 
was employed on the Centennial buildings in Philadelphia. 

E. C. Swain, proprietor of Swain's livery stables, was born in 
Ind. in 1848; removed to la. in 1857, locating in Guthrie county; the 
following year moved to Shelby county, and to Harlan in 1869. He 
engaged in the harness business for six years, and in 1878, bought 
an interest in the livery business of J. V. Brazie. The present 
barn was built by this firm in 1879, and in 1881, Mr. S. became sole 
proprietor; keeps sixteen horses and eight carriages for livery 
purposes. 

J. B. Swain was born at Randolph, Ind., in 1825; moved to Dal- 
las county, Ind.. in 1854, and engaged in farming for two years; 
then moved to Denison, Crawford county, being one of the first to 
locate there; remained until the spring of 1859; then came to 
Shelby, and built a mill in Grove township, which he sold to Mil- 
ton Lynch, in 1861. He again engaged in farming, until his re- 
moval to Dunlap, when it was first laid out, in 1867, and the fol- 
lowing year opened a harness shop, which business he sold to his 
son, E. C. Swain. He purchased the Harlan House of J. M. Long, 
conducted it for five years, and in the spring of 1879 erected the 
Swain House, which he conducted until April, 1881, when he 
leased to E. Gish, and retired from active business. He was mar- 
ried in Wayne county, Ind., in 1846, to Irena Whitenger, and has 
three sons and five daughters. 

28 



426 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

D. 0. Stuart, attorney at law, was born in Pa. in 1848; moved 
Avith parents to Va. in 1851; took a preparatory literary course at 
the university at Morgantown. He served one year as scout dur- 
ing the rebellion, and at the close of the war, removed to Warren 
county, la.; attended Simpson's Centenary College, at Indianola; 
graduated in 1872, obtaining the degree of B. A. He commenced 
reading law while at college, Avith Col. P. Gad Bryan, and was 
admitted at the Nov. term of the district court at Newton, Jasper 
county, in 1872; was admitted to practice in the supreme court in 
June, 187i, and to the U. S. circuit court in Oct., of the same 
year, at Des Moines. In the spring of 1877, he moved to Des 
Moines, and to Harlan in Aug., 1880. His otfice is in Long's block 
on the north side of the public square. 

A. D. Tinsley,editor of the Harlan Tribune (established in 1879), 
was born in Wapello county, la., in 1854; removed to Harlan in 
1875, engaged in joiner work with hiley Cass, and taught school 
during the winter of 1875-G. In 1877 was assistant county treas- 
urer under Thomas McDonald; in the fall of the same year, en- 
gaged in business Avith his brother Prior Tinsley, and in 1879, still 
retaining his interest in the store, he opened the Tribune office. 
He has since been chairman of the county democratic central com- 
mittee. He has always been an active participant in the cam- 
paigns, and is recognized as one of the party leaders in the county. 
The Tribune has been a county official paper since its establsh- 
ment, and a city official paper for some time; office on north side 
of the square. Nov. 10th, 1881, Mr. Tinsley was married to Cicily 
ChatburU; daughter of the Hon. J. W. Chatburn of Harlan. 

G. W. Todd, M. D., Avas born at Bellevue, Huron county, 0., in 
1838; attended college at Granville three years, then the Cleveland 
Medical College, graduating in 1861, and obtaining a degree. He 
enlisted in the 55tli 0. Inft., Co. A, and was discharged in 1865; then 
came to Tabor, Fremont county, la., and engaged in the drug busi- 
ness; remained eight years, then moved to Montgomery county, la., 
and engaged in the practice of medicine at Milford. In the spring 
of 1878 he moved to Shelby, Shelby county, la., and to Harlan in 
1881; where he formed a partnership with Dr. Cartlich, Avho located 
herein 1880. 

Geo. H. Walker, was born in W. Va., in 1814; moved to Northern 
Ind., in 1834, and engaged in farming; was also engaged in the mer- 
cantile business at Benton, Elkhart county. In 1854 removed to 
Linn county, la., and engaged in farming until 1860, when he en- 
gaged in business at Mt. Vernon. In 1876 he moved to Harlan, 
and in June of that year established a mercantile house; retired 
from business in the autumn of 1881, still OAvning the property, be- 
sides other town property, and 420 acres of land in Thayer county, 
Neb. He was married in Ind., in 1842, to Celina Smith, and has 
four children. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 427 

A.G. Waynick, of the firm of Waynick & Hunter, grocers; was 
born in Monroe county, la., in 1852; moved with parents to Chari- 
ton, Lucas county, in 185-4. In 1870 he went to Golden, Col., and 
two years later to Chicago, 111.; thence, in 1874, to Burlington, la.; 
and two years later to Corning, where he engaged in the clothing 
business, until 1879. when he came to Harlan and established his 
present business, which he carried on alone until the spring of 1880. 
Mr. Hunter, of Corning, then bought an interest, but remains at 
Corning, Mr. W. conducting the business, which is in Long's block 
on the southeast corner of the square. 

J. E. Weaver, attorney at law, was born in Henry county, Ind., 
in June, 1849; moved with his parents to Powsheik county, la., in 
1859; entered the Iowa College, at Grinnell, la., in 1866, and in 1870 
commenced the study of law with Emery & Lewis, of Montezuma; 
was admitted to the bar in 1873 by the district court_, Judge E. S. 
Sampson presiding. In 1874 moved to Pella, where he practiced one 
year, and then came to Harlan, establishing his present business; 
office on the north side of square. He is a member of the A. F. 
& A. M. order. 

Thomas R, "VVestrope, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, was born 
in Morgan county. 111., in 1825; moved to La Fayette county. Wis., 
in 1850; thence to Montgomery county, la., where he owns six- 
teen hundred acres of Avell improved farming land, two hundred 
and fifty head of graded cattle and fifty head of pedigreed short- 
horns. He came to Shelby county in the spring of 1881, and here 
owns 440 acres of land and 150 head of cattle; has 360 acres of 
well improved farm in Audubon county, and 260 acres in La Fay- 
ette county. Wis. He carries on all of these farms himself, keep- 
ing sixteen men constantly employed, besides extra help in crop- 
fing seasons. He is one of the most extensive farmers in western 
a. In 1848, he was married, in La Fayette county, Wis., to Sarah 
A. Huntsman. They have eight sons and two daughters. 

D. M. Wyland, of the firm of J. C. & D. M. Wyland, was born 
in Elkhart county, Ind., in 184G; came to Shelby county. la., in 
1861 ; in 1864 took charge of the treasurer's office under William 
Wyland, and the year following attended the university at Iowa 
City, remaining four years; returned to Harlan and was appointed 
clerk of the courts in 1869, which position he resigned in the 
spring of 1870, to accept one offered by the Council Bluffs savings 
bank; remained there until 1872; then formed a partnership with 
his present partner. He is a member of the citv council, and of 
the A. F. & A. M. and I. 0. 0. F. orders. In Sept., 1878, he was 
married at South Bend, Ind., to Belle Keasey. 

C. J. Wyland, of the firm of C. J. & D. M. Wyland, bankers, 
real estate, loan and insurance agents, was born in Ind. in 1836; 
came to Shelby county, la., in 1861, and engaged in farming in 
Harlan township; was elected treasurer of the county in 1871, on 



428 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

the democratic ticket, and re-elected in 1873. In 1875, he, with 
with D. M. Wyland, with whom he had previously been engaged 
in the real estate, loan and insurance business, established the bank. 
They occupied a frame building until 1880, when they erected the 
present two-story building, of brick with stone front. The first 
floor is used for the real estate, loan and insurance oflfice and tele- 
phone exchange, of which J. C. has charge, and the second floor 
by the bank, in charge of D. M. In 1864, the subject of this 
sketch was married to Amanda H. Dunnington, at Harlan. They 
have five children. 

Hon. William Wyland, farmer, was born in 0. in 1830; removed 
to northern Ind. in 1832, with his parents, where he remained un- 
til 1856; then came to Shelby county, la., which at that time was 
very sparsely settled, the inhabitants having to go to Kanesville — 
now Council Bluff's — for mail and to do trading. He entered land, 
and engaged in farming until 1859; was elected county treasurer 
in 1857, and county judge in 1859; returned to farming in 1861, 
and in 1873 engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with 
Thos. Wood; closed out business in 1877, and returned to farming 
in North Harlan. 

Hon. Pratt Wicks, attorney at law and representative for the 
74th district, was born in Manchester, Ind., in 1832; was admitted 
to the bar in 1853. at a term of the circuit court at Shelbyville, 
Ind., Hon. R. D. Logan presiding. The following year he began 
the practice of law at Greenburg; was elected to the office of dis- 
trict attorney in 1856, and re-elected in 1858; was elected prose- 
cuting attorney of the 4th judicial circuit in 1866; held the office 
until 1869, and then resigned, on the division of the circuit, and 
came to Harlan, la.; was elected to the 18th general assembly in 
the autumn of 1879, and re-elected to the 19th general assembly 
in 1881, on the republican ticket. 

D. A. Williams, proprietor of the City Hotel, was born in Pitts- 
burg, Pa., in 1846; removed with parents to Marshalltown, la., in 
1857. He enlisted in 1863 in the 9th la. Cav.; was discharged in 
1865, and assisted his father in the stock business; traveled through 
the west in 1868, handling stock; was engaged in freighting to the 
W innebago Agency several years, and was in the stock business at 
Missouri Valley, la., some time; also at St. Paul, Minn., Denver, 
Col., and Texas. In 1875 he established a drug store in Council 
Bluffs, la., which he sold in the summer of 1881 to Shephard Bros, 
and then moved to Harlan Oct. 11th, 1881; he opened the City 
Hotel, built and owned by J. M. Long, which is a fine building, well 
furnished, has one of the finest sample rooms in the Avest for the 
accomodation of commercial travelers, and has omnibus in connec- 
tion. 

J. J. Zimmerman, proprietor of livery, feed and sale bams, on 
the west side of square, was born in Pa. in 1840; moved to Jones 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



429 



county, la., in 1856, and engaged in farming; removed to Shelby 
county in 18TG and engaged in farming until March, 1880, when 
he engaged in the livery business at Old Harlan House barn. In 
Oct., 1881, he purchased Hurless' barn and stock, and now runs 
both barns; keeps eighteen horses for livery purposes, and nine 
carriages, has telephone connections. 




430 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 



CLAY COUNTY. 



The coimty of Clay is twenty-four miles square, containing an 
area of 368,640 acres. It is located in the second tier from the 
third county from the west boundary of the State. The little 
Sioux River and its tributaries afford water and drainage in nearly 
all portions of the county. The stream, with its serpentine wind- 
ings, has a length of not less than seventy miles within the limits 
of Clay County, and furnishes quite a number of good water pow- 
ers, its largest tributary is Ocheyedan Creek, which rises in Os- 
ceola County and, flowing in a southeasterly direction_, empties into 
Little Sioux River near Spencer. Both these have broad, rich and 
beautiful valleys. Among other smaller streams are Willow, 
Prairie, Henry and Muddy Creeks. The eastern portion of the 
county has several small lakes^ the most important of which are 
Lost Island Lake, Swan Lake, Pickerel Lake, Virgin Lake and Mud 
Lake. Fish abound in some of them. 

The county has a very limited supply of native timber, but more 
than some of the other counties in this part of the state. The 
surface is undulating prairie, with scarcely any waste land, and 
the soil is exceedingly fertile. The staple productions are wheat, 
oats, corn, grass and the various root crops. The county is well 
adapted to grazing, on account of the abundance of nutritious wild 
grass and pure water. 

The first settlement of whites in the county was made in July, 
1856, by Ambrose S. Mead and Christian Kirchner with their fami- 
lies. The former built his cabin on section 34, township 94, range 
38, and the latter on section 32 of the same township and range. 
John J. Bicknell had the honor of holding the plow that broke 
the first sod in the county, while Ambrose S. Mead was honored by 
driving the oxen. In the fall of 1856 there were several more 
families came in, to-wit: James Bicknell, Ezra Wilcox and two 
men named Cillett.j^ 

In the latter part of February, 1857, the Indians, on their way 
to Spirit Lake before'the massacre, visited the infant settlement 
in this county, killed four head of cattle belonging to Mr. Kirch- 
ner, and drove away ten horses and five or six head of cattle be- 
longing to Mr. Mead. Passing on to what is known as Gillett's 
Grove, they drove away forty head of cattle, four horses, and de- 
stroyed most of the personal property of the Gilletts. The five 
or six families in the county, in consequence of this raid, fled and 
were away several months. The first marriage was that of John 
A. Kirchner and Mary J. Bicknell, daughter of James Bicknell. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 431 

The first birth was that of Ella, a daughter of these parties. The 
first death was that of Clay Crego, infant sou of Y. 13. Crego. A 
barn erected by C. Kirehuer was the first frame building in 
the count.y. 

Clay County was, previous to its organization, a part of Wood- 
bury County. In accordance with a petition of the majority of 
the legal voters of Clay County, presented to the Honorable Coun- 
ty Court of Woodbury County, Judge John L.Campbell presiding, 
an election was ordered to be held by the said county on the 12th 
day of October, 1858, and the voters of Clay County were author- 
ized to meet at the house of Ambrose S. Mead, for the purpose of 
perfecting an organization of Clay County, and voting for district, 
county and township olficers, thus severing the ties between the 
independent county of W^oodbury, and the independent county of 
Clay. James Bicknell, E. M. W^ilcox, and Ambrose S. Mead were 
appointed to act as Judges of Election, and to make returns accord- 
ing to law; consequently, on the 28th of September, 1858, Ain- 
brose S. Mead was qualified as one of the Judges of Election, with 
power to qualify the o'her Judges and Clerk of the same. There 
were eighteen ballots (*st at this election. The first county 
officers were: F. M. Foreman, Treasurer and Recorder; E. M. 
Wilcox, Clerk; C. Kirchner, Sr., Coroner; J. Kindelspeyer, Drain- 
age Commissioner; Ambrose S. Mead, County Superintendent; C. 
C. Smeltzer, County Judge. Present County officers: H. B. 
W^ood, Auditor: H. Chamberlain, Clerk; P. E. Randall, Treasurer; 
S. W. Dubois. Recorder; P. W. Madden, Sheriff; M. M. Gilchrist, 
Superintendent of Schools; E. N. Jencks, County Surveyor; T. 
P. Bender, J. Goodwin, Reuben Somers, J. Dodge and H. Watts, 
being the Board of Supervisors, with T. P. Bender, Chaiiman. 
The population of the County, according the census of 1880, was 
4,248; the present po]iulation maybe safely estimated at 0,000. 

At the time of the organization nearly all the settlers were in 
the southwest corner of the county, and Peterson was made the 
county seat. There was at this place a considerable body of tim- 
ber and a good water power on the Little Sioux, on which John 
A. Kirchner erected a grist and sawmill. 

SPENCER. 

This is the county seat of Clay County. Spencer Avas platted by 
J. B. Edmunds, J. H. Hale and" J. Calkins, in 1871. The second 
house in Spencer was erected by W. R. Lamberton, the first house 
being a log house which was built by J. W^. Mastin upon the site 
where Spencer now stands, in 1866. B. P. Hough built a house 
in 1866; J. W. Mastin opened a stock of goods in his log house 
in 1869. this being the first store in Spencer. Feeso & Bergin, 
and Tuttle & Smith, each opened a store in 1870. Horace Smith 
and Field Bros, also opened stores in 1871. 



432 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Spencer was incorporated in the spring of 1880. Its first offi- 
cers were: AV. C. Gilbraith. Mayor; Charles Penfield, Recorder; 
J. Rood,C. M. Squire, T. P. Bender, M. P. W. Albee, M'. E. Grffin, 
E. E. Snow, City Council. Present officers: J. B. Edmunds, 
Mayor; J. E. Steele, Recorder; I. F. Constant, Assessor; E. A. 
Maker, Marshal ; C. McKay, Treasurer; J. Rood, W. L. Bender, 
J. C. McCoy, M. S, Green, A. C. Perine, J. P. Evans, City Council. 

The Spencer WeeJiJij Beporter was fire t started in 1877, by J. F. 
Ford, who was follov ed by A. T. McCargar; the Barnard Bros, 
purchased it of McCargar January 1st, 1882. Its politics is Re- 
publican; it is a nine-column folio, and has a circulation of 1,250 
copies, and is all printed at their office in Spencer. They have 
a finely fitted office, situated on Main street, have a steam power 
press, etc. 

The Clcnj Cotiniij Neirs, C. M. Whitman, editor and proprietor, 
was established at Peterson in 1870, but was removed to Spencer 
in 1871, under the management of J. F. Ford, now of the Sheldon 
Neics. Ford sold to McCargar, who ran the paper some time, 
subsequently transferring it to C. M. Gilbreath, who, in turn, dis- 
posed of it to C. M. Whitman, who took possession in 1880, and 
has since continued in the management of the paper. It is a 
seven-column quarto, having been enlarged by W^hitman since he 
took charge. It is the oldest paper in county. 

The Old, a monthly paper, conducted by J. B. Edmunds, is 
devoted to the land and immigration interests of Northwestern 
Iowa. It was first issued in 1879, is a five-column folio, and is 
gratitutiously ciiculated through many of the Eastern States. 

CHUECHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

First Covgrefiational Socieiy — Organized March 14th, 1872. under 
the charge of W. L. Coleman. First officers: E. Perine, P. M. 
Moore, H. B. Coryell, Trustees; L. C. Bergin and P. M. Moore, 
Deacons; A. W. Miller, Treasurer; L. C. Bergin, Clerk. The 
church was organized wiih the following members: L. C. Bergin, 
E. Perine, H. B. Coryell, C. Van Eps, C. Snyder. A. W. Miller, I. 
Laughten, P. D. Graves, Helen Graves, P. M. Moore, Mary S. 
Moore. Present membership, fifty-six. Rev. J. M. Cumings is 
the present pastor. The church building was dedicated in Febru- 
ary, 1875; size, 26x36 feet; is supplied with a church bell, the first 
in the town, which was placed there by the church society under 
the pastorate of Rev. J. M. Cummin gs in 1869. The cost of the 
church was ^2,754. A parsonage was built in 1880; size, 16x24 
feet; cost,|435. There is a Sabbath School with ninety-three pupils; 
Dr. McAllister, Superintendent; Clark Skinner, Treasurer. The 
present officers of the church are: L. C. Bergin, P. M. Moore, 
Deacons; Dr, McAllister. P. M. Moore, A. W. Miller, Trustees. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 433 

MetJiodist Chioy/i. — Spencer ( 'ircuit was formed in September, 

1871, with Kev. Charles B. Winter as the first pastor. The first 
Board of Trustees were: John Hood, President; M. M. Peeso, 
Secretary; J. H. Hale, Treasurer; A. M. Calkins, W. W. Scott, 
II. Hough, H. B. Wood. The church was built in 1872, and dedi- 
cated June 18th, 1873, by Rev. J. W. Clinton, with a debt of .^1,- 
711, which was paid off by subscription. The first pastor was Rev. 
C. B. Winters, who was followed by F. M. Cooley, he by W. H. 
Drake; then in order by J. W. Lothian, Seymour Snyder, and E. 
C. Warren. The present pastor is Rev. P. H. Eighmy. The mem- 
bership when first organized was 46, present membership, 115. 
The first church was destroyed by fire, and left the society in debt 
$600. It was rebuilt in 1880, during the pastorate of E. C. War- 
ren, at a cost of $2,000, and the society is now free from debt. A 
parsonage was built in 1881 at n cost of $700; size, 10x24 feet. 
The Sunday School has seventy-five pupils; P. H. Eighniy, Super- 
intendent; M. M. Peeso, Treasurer; Millie Hagrath, Secretary. 

Baptist Cliurch. — Organized January 7th. 1874, with David 
Skinner, Catherine Skinner, J. A. Bowman, W. H.Davis, S. Hayes, 
L. Chapin, J. J. Ayres and L. W. Miller, as members. First offi- 
cers: D. Skmner, Deacon; L. F. Miller, Clerk; J. A. Bowman, 
Treasurer; D. Skinner, J. A. Bowman and W. H. Davis, Trustees. 
Present officers: D. Skinner, Deacon and Treasurer; G. C. Farr, 
Clerk; D. Skinner, W. M. Davis and William Desbrow, Trustees. 
First pastor, T. H. Judson, who was followed by A. V. Bloodgood. 
This society has no building of their own, and at present are not 
supplied with any pastor. There is a Sabbath School with forty- 
five pupils; G. C. Farr, Superintendent. This society has purchased 
two lots, upon which they propose soon to erect a church and par- 
sonage. 

Eveninq Sliade Lodge No. 312, A. F. & A . M — Instituted January 
24th, 1872. Charter granted, June 8th, 1872. Charter members: S. 
Lacore, S. F. McDonald, A. Wright, J. W. Crist, S. B. Crist, E. J, 
Marvine, A. H. Wilber, William Harvey. A dispensation was 
granted by 0. P. Waters, Grand Master. First officers, under dis- 
pensation: W. Harvey, W. M.; E. J. Marvine, S. W.; H. H. 
Wilber, J. W., who were also the first officers under the charter, 
with the addition of J. H. Hale, Treasurer; S. B. Crist, Secretary; 
J. W. Crist, S. D.; J. F. Ford, J. D.: J. H. Fend, Tylei. Present 
officers: W. C. Gilbreath, W. M.; M. P. W. Albee, S. W.; H. C. 
Brown, J. W.: J. F. Constant, Secretary: W. M. Davis, Treasurer; 
J. C. McCoy, S. D.; A. R. Claxtion, J. D.; S. B. Taylor, Tyler. 
Membership about thirty. Meetings are held every Monday even- 
ing in each month, on or before the full moon. The Lodge has no 
hall of its own, but is in a very flourishing condition. 

Spencer Lodge Xo. 247, I. 0. 0. J'.— Instituted October 17th, 

1872. Charter members: H. Smith, A. B. Kline, J. F. Ford, A. 
G. Hardin, W. I. Rood. First officers: A. S. Kline, N. G.; H. 



434 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Smith, y. G.; W. I. Rood, R. S. Present officers: A. F. Mas- 
terman, N. G.; P. E. Randall, V. G.; A. Hubbard, R. S.; H.Smith, 
Treasurer. Membership, lif ty. Meetings are held Tuesday even- 
ing of each week in Mason's Hall. The Lodge is in a flourishing 
condition. 

Spencer Temple of Honor No. 13. — Organized December 5th, 
1881, by Grand W. C. T. Smith. Charter members: P. E. Ran- 
dall, C. W. Whitman, M. Tuttle, P. Hodge, J. I. Garret, W. B. 
Davidson, Will Hodge, E. D. Sanders, M. C. Brainard, D. R.Hub- 
bard, D. C. Skinner, and others. First and present officers: C. 
M. Whitman, W. C. T.; D. R. Hubbard, W. V. T.; P. E. Ran- 
dall, F. R.; W. B. Davidson, Treasurer; M. C. Brainard, R. S.; 
P. Hodge, Usher; C. Skinner, Chaplain; membership, twenty; 
meet once each week (Monday evening), in the Court House. This 
is a temperance organizaijion, and is doing effective work for the 
cause. 

Spencer Lodqe Xo. 201, A. 0. U. W. — Instituted in August, 
1879. First officers: A. T. McCarger, M. W.; W. C. Gilbreath, 
P. M. W.; C. P. Buckey, Rec; I. F. Constant, Financier; W. L. 
Bender, Receiver; E. Pickering, 0. S. W.; J. M. Haggarty, I. S. 
W^; J. P. Evans, Guide; M. P. W. Albee, Foreman; T. P. Bender, 
M. S. Green, M. E. Griffin, Trustees. Present officers: J. W. 
Andrew, M. W.; N. Tuttle, Receiver; M. E. Griffin, Recorder; I. 
F. Constant, Financier; P. E. Randall, Foreman; W. C. Gilbreath, 
0. W.; A. T. McCarger, I. W. Meetings are held once in two 
weeks. 

Clay Countij Agricultural Board. — Organized in 1879. First 
officers: T. P. Bender, President; M. E. Griffin, Treasurer; W. 
C. Gilbreath, Secretary; Dr. C. McAllister, J. B. Edmunds, A. T. 
McCarger, James Godwin, Directors. Present officers: T. P. 
Bender, President; J. B. Edmunds, Treasurer; W. C. Gilbreath, 
Secretary; C. McAllister, A. T. McCarger, J. P. Evans, M. Hackett, 
R. Jackson, Directors. This society owns thirty acres of land, 
situated one-quarter of a mile northwest of town, and enclosed 
with a close board fence seven feet high. There is a nice amphi- 
theater, which seats 400 people; a floral hall 21x36 feet; also sheds, 
stalls, pens, etc.; a Judge's stand, etc., and a good one-half 
mile track. Fairs are held once each year. The society is nearly 
free from debt. The total cost of the grounds and improvements 
was $3,000. 

The first school-house in the town was built in 1869; C. Carver 
Avas the first teacher. Spencer became an independent district in 
1874. Previous to this it was a part of Spencer Township District. 
The first Board of Education was: H. B. Wood, Secretary; H. 
Smith, Treasurer: M. Hines, President. The first teachers of the 
independent district were: Geo. Mann, Principal; Augusta Smith 
Assistant. The present school building was erected in the fall of 
1879, at a cost of 84,000; cost of furnishing, |800; size, 48x58 feet. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 435 

The present Board is composed of the following gentlemen: T. 
P. Bender, President; A. W. Miller, J. C. McCoy, Ackley Hubbard. 
Present teachers: J. T. Lemar, Principal; MissL. Parker, Miss E. 
Bean, Miss Cowan and Miss Olive Woodruff. The present en- 
rollment of pupils is about 300. 

The Court House was built by the citizens of Spencer in 1871. 
the county being given the use of it for three years. The county 
afterwards bought it. Its dimensions are 20x10 feet; cost §1,000. 
There is a prospect of a new Court House being soon erected. 

The C, M. & St. P. Railroad was built to Spencer in 1878. 
There is a narrow gauge in course of construction to meet the Wa- 
bash, St. Louis & Pacific, from Des Moines through Spencer, and 
thence north through Dickinson County. The grading for this 
road is at present completed through the county of Clay. 

Th(! Chicago,Mil waukee & St. Paul Compan y have in course of con- 
struction a road from Spencer to Spirit Lake, most of the grading 
on which is completed. This road is expected to be completed 
through Clay County during the present year. 

Spencer boasts of a creamery, which was established in 1878, by 
McPhersou & Allen. They have a laige building and steam power. 
This creamery is run on the cream-gathering plan, and uses cream 
from nearly every section of the county. It was operated in 1881 
by Penfieki, Allen & Co. The building is 20x50 feet in dimensions, 
two stories high, and cost about $3,000. 

Spencer also has a plow factory, which does business on a small 
scale, but which it expects to largely increase in the near future. 

The business establishments of Spencer may be thus classified: 
drugstores, two; harness, two; agricultural implements, three; 
billiard halls, three; hardware, three; shoe stores, two; saloons, 
two; bookstores, one; furniture, three; banks, three; general mer- 
chandise, ten; elevators, three; barber shops, two; merchant tailor, 
one; butter and egg packers, two: music dealers, one; livery, three; 
groceries, seven; lumber, four; hotels, three; restaurants, three; 
jewelry, one; meat markets, two; fruit store, one. 



436 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 



CLAY COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



SPENCER. 



John B. Annett, shoemaker, was born in England; spent most 
of his younger daj's in Mass.; then moved to 111., and in 1869 set- 
tled on a homestead in Spencer township, Clay county, la. He 
opened a shoemaker's shop on his farm in 1870, and in company 
with G. C. Farr, started a general store. He returned to Mass. in 
1871, and again came to Spencer in 1877, and was employed by S. 
S. Birkson, with whom he still continues. 

H. C. Brown, contractor and builder, was born in Indiana in 
1848. He moved with his parents to Keokuk, la., where he re- 
mained until 1870; then came to Spencer and engaged as above. 
The first building he occupied in Spencer was a sod building. 

H. Chamberlain, county clerk, was born in Vt. in 1849; moved 
with his parents to 111. when six years of age; thence to la. in 
1871. He was elected to the above named office in 187G, and is 
now serving his third term. He married Mary Ellis in 1875. They 
have two children. 

William Carleton came to Iowa from Me. in 1851, and located 
in Marion county. He moved to Clay county in 1871; located at 
Spencer, and opened the first grocery stoi'e in the town. There 
were only four business houses in the town, and he, with his wife, 
lived for some time in a tent. He has been engaged in the gro- 
cery business since coming to the place until the first of the pres- 
ent year, 1882. Mr. Carleton spent several years as a sailor, and 
has visited various countries. 

F. G. Daniels, proprietor of the Gregory House, was born in 
Herkimer couuty, N. Y., in 1838; moved to Chautauqua county in 
1851. He was engaged as traveling salesman and collecting agent 
for a New York house for some years, and in 1862 engaged in 
business at Oil Creek, Pa. In 1871 he came to Iowa; was engaged 
in the patent right business for several years, and located at Spen- 
cer, in 1881. He married Mary E. Bennett, in 1871, and has one 
son. 

J. B. Edmunds, banker and real estate dealer, was born in 
Mich, in 1845, removed Avitli parents in 1850 to 0.; thence to 
Minn, in 1851. He came to Spencer in 1870, and engaged in his 
present business. He was one of the original proprietors of the 
town. When he came here there was onlv one log house where 
the town now stands, and he has probably done more to build up 
the place than any other man. Mr. Edmunds published The Oivl^ 
a real estate paper devoted to the land interests of Clay county. 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 437 

Thomas Eagan, proprietor of the City Hotel, was born in III. in 
1854; removed with his parents during the same year to Wis., 
where he remained until 1881, when he came to Spencer, and en- 
gaged in his present business. He was married in 1874 to Cather- 
ine lieardon, and has four children. 

Henry Green, railroad contractor, came to Iowa from N. Y. in 
1852, and located in Allamakee county; thence to Clay county in 
1871, and settled on a homestead. He moved to Spencer in 1880, 
and purchased the Spencer House, which he ran until Dee., 1881, 
then rented the hotel, and engaged in business as above. 

S. H. Geddes, of the firm of Geddes & Goble, contractors and 
builders, came to Spencer from Bremer county, la., in 1878, and 
engaged in business as above. He conducted business alone until 
1881, at which time J. J. Goble came to Spencer from Palo Alto 
county, and became a partner in the business. 

Ackley Hubbard, attorney at law, came to Spencer, la., from N. 
Y. in 1869. He settled on a homestead and engaged in farming. 
In 1872, he was elected clerk, which office he held two terms. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1876, and has been engaged in the 
practice of the law ever since. He is also a member of the firm 
of Woodruff & Hubbard, furniture dealers. He has added to the 
city by putting into the market forty acres on the west side, which 
are now covered with some of the finest residences in the place. 

T. B. Horton and S. T. Cruver, of the firm of Horton & Cruver, 
dealers in general merchandise, established business in Nov., 1880. 
They came to Spencer from Lake county, 111., where they had 
been engaged in the same business. The business averages about 
$40,000 per annum. 

E. E. Harris, painter, came to Spencer in 1874, from 111. and en- 
gaged in the hotel business at the Metropolitan, now called Com- 
mercial. He afterwards opened the Central house now called the 
Gregory, after three years he rented the hotel and began working 
at his trade, that of painter. He worked at painting one year in 
the Black Hills. He is also agent for the Cedar Rapids Ins. Co. 

D. R. Hubbard, special agent for the Cedar Rapids insurance 
company, was born in Floyd county, la., in 1858; moved with his 
parents to Clay county in 1809, when he settled on a homestead. 
He engaged in teaching school until 1878, when he engaged in his 
present business at Spencer. He married Rosa H. Feed in 1880. 

W. C. Hubbard, agent for the Kimball organ, was^born in Floyd 
county, la., in 1861; moved with parents to Clay county and set- 
tled on a homestead. He came to Spencer in 1880, and engaged 
in his present business with Arthur Hubbard. He now continues 
business alone. 



438 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

W. S. Lloyd, proprietor of the eating house near the depot; came 
to Spencer in 1878, from Cedar Falls, la., and engaged in his pres- 
ent business. He furnishes warm meals at all hours, also rooms 
for travelers. 

P. W. Madden, sheriff, was horn in Pa. in 1845; moved with pa- 
rents to Mahaska county, la., in 1852. He came to Clay county 
in 1871, and settled on a homestead in Lincoln township. He was 
elected to his office as above in the autumn of 1881. 

E. A. Maker, dental surgeon, was born in Cincinnati, 0., in 
1842; moved to Ind. in 1860; there learned dentistry, and in 1865 
moved to Grant county, Wis. In 1878, he came to Spencer, and 
opened the first dental office in the city. Dr. Maker is at present 
marshal of Spencer. 

J. D. Powers, hardware dealer, came to Spencer in 1S7S from 
Butler county, la., and engaged in his present business. He car- 
ries a stock worth from ten to twelve thousand dollars, and his 
sales average about §25,000 per annum. This is one of the finest 
hardware stores in Western Iowa. 

P. E. Randall, county treasurer, was born in Lockport, N. Y., in 
1843; moved with parents to Canada, where he remained five years, 
then moved to Wis. He came to Clay county in 1870, engaged in 
farming; after two years, came to Spencer and engaged as sales- 
man. He was elected to his office as above in 1879, and re-elected 
in 1881. He was postmaster six years. 

H. Smith, dealer in general merchandise, came to Spencer from 
Wis. in 1871, and engaged in his present business. There were 
only about fifty persons in the town when he came, and he was 
the third man to put in a stock of general merchandise. He started 
in the same building which he now occupies, which at that time 
was 30x20 feet, but which by reason of additions, is now eighty- 
two feet in length. He carries a stock worth from ten to twelve 
thousand dollars. 

The Spencer Reporter was established in 1877 by J. F. Ford, 
and purchased by A. T. McCarger, in 1881, who sold it to the Bar- 
nard Bros, in Dec, 1881. It is a republican paper, all printed at 
home. They have the only steam-poAver press in the northwest, 
outside of Sioux City. They are prepared to do job work in all 
styles. 

G. Thorine, business manager for the Eureka Furniture Com- 
pany, established the business in 1878, as the Spencer Furniture 
Co. 1881, he sold to J. C. Lewis, who changed the name as above. 
Mr. Thorine Was retained as manager. 

H. H. Wade, contractor and builder, came to Clay county in 
1869, and located on a homestead in Summit township, where he 
lived three years; then went to 0. He returned to Clay county in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 439 

1880, and purchased a farm of the raih-oad company where he has 
since lived; en gaffed in business in Spencer as above. He has built 
some of the finest buildings in the city. He was married in 1876, 
and has two children. 

C. M. Whitman, proprietor of the Clay County News, was born 
in Racine county, Wis., in 1852, leai:ned his trade at Burlington, 
Wis.; came to Spencer, la., in 1880, and engaged in his present 
business. The News was the first paper in the county, having 
been established at Peterson in 1870 by J. F. Ford, who moved it 
to Spencer in 1871. It was purchased by Mr. McCarger, who sold 
it to W. C. Gilbreath, and was then purchased by its present 
OAvner. This paper is republican, and an advocate of temperance. 
Mr. Whitman was married in 1875; his wife died since coming to 
Iowa. 



%s 




JiU HISTOKY OF IOWA. 



BUENA VISTA COUNTY, 



Buena Vista County is the third from the west and the third 
from the north line of the State. It is twenty-four miles square, 
containing 368,640 acres. The Little Sioux River meanders 
through the northern portion of the county, watering three town- 
ships, and furnishing some valuable bodies of timber. It receives 
a tributary from the south, which waters two or three additional 
townships. Several other small streams pass through different 
parts, affording good water for stock, and surface drainage. In 
the southern part of the county is situated Storm Lake, a beau- 
tiful body of clear water, with steep banks, with tine undulating 
prairie farming lands stretching away in all directions, except on 
the north side, where the thriving town bearing the name of the 
lake is now located. There are other smaller lakes in the county. 
The surface of the county is generally rolling, with a soil as fer- 
tile as could be desired. It is adapted to all the cereals and root 
crops. In this part of the State generally, the supply of tim- 
ber is limited. There are no stone quarries developed, but granite 
and limestone boulders are found on the prairies, along the streams, 
and about the borders of the lakes. Grood brick are manufactured 
from clays found in the county, and from the ''bluff deposit" 
which is characteristic of this part of the state. Many kinds of 
fish are found in the lakes and streams. 

The government surveys were made in this county in 1855. 
The first permanent settlement was made in May, 1856, by Abner 
Bell, from New Jersey, at that time a bachelor, his brother-in-law, 
William R. Weaver and family, and John W. Tucker. They set- 
tled in the north part of the county at Sioux Rapids. Among the 
early settlers were Arthur T. Reeves, Moses Van Kirk, James H. 
Gleason, Lewis^ Lindsey, and Metcalf. In March, 1857, occurred 
what is known in the annals of Iowa as Ink-pah-du-tah Raid, 
which culminated in the bloody massacre at Spirit Lake. Before 
reaching the lake the Indians passed up the Little Sioux River, 
driving away the stock and destroying the property of the settlers. 
The little colony at Sioux Rapids did not escape. The men were 
captured and guarded, and some of the Avomen led away to the In- 
dian camp, but the Indians committed no murders here. A few 
days after, the news of the terrible butchery at Spirit Lake came 
down the river, and Mr. Bell with a companion made his way 
across the prairie through the deep snow to Fort Dodge, to notify 
the people there of the massacre. This aft'air had the effect to 
check the settlement of this part of the state for several years. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 441 

Late in 1858, or early in 1859, a county oro;anization was effected, 
the following being the county officers: Arthur T. Reeves, County 
Judge; William R. Weaver, Treasurer and Recorder; John W. 
Tucker. Clerk; and Abner Bell, Sheriff. 

In 1860 the county seat Avas first located, by a commission ap- 
pointed by Judge Hubbard, composed of D. C. Early, John Kin- 
dlespeyer and Sartel, on a tract known as the "Fuller Claim.'" At 
that time the place was occupied by William S. Lee, who executed 
to the county a bond for a deed to the northwest quarter of the 
northeast quarter of section 18, township 93, range 36. The tract 
was long known as ''Prairieville, the County Seat of Buena Vista 
County," but no county buildings were ever.erected upon it. Up 
to 1SG6 there were but few settlers in the county, and its affairs 
seem to have been badly managed. The early records of the 
county are very imperfect, and many of them are missing from 
the county. Up to this time the officials entered into large con- 
tracts for bridges and other improvements which were never made, 
although county Avarrants Avere issued in payment amounting to 
many thousands of dollars. 

The county seat Avas removed from "Prairieville" to Sioux Rap- 
ids at an early date, 1869, Avhen a Court House Avas erected. 
When the more southern part of the county became settled, the 
people of that part of the county continually agitated the Cjuestion 
of removing the county seat from Sioux Rapids to NeAvell, a small 
town on the Hlinois Central Railroad. In 1876, the Court House 
Avas burned at Sioux Rapids. This gave the people from the south- 
ern part of the county more grounds for having the county seat 
removed, and the people of NeAveli fought to have it there. The 
citizens of Storm Lake, as a matter of course, Avere opposed to this 
and with the combined efforts of Sioux Rapids, and their OAvn, 
they kept the county seat from being located at NeAvell. 

At an election held Oct. 5th, 1878, the people of Buena Vista 
County decided by a large majority to moA'e the county seat from 
Sioux Rapids to Storm Lake. After eight years' efforl: this result 
was accomplished. At a meeting of the board, held January, 
1878. the question Avas submitted betAveen Storm Lake and Sioux 
Rapids, and the former gained the day. In the latter part of Aug- 
ust, the citizens of Storm Lake decided to erect a building suita- 
ble for Court House purposes and donated the use of it to the 
county for a term of ten years, on condition that the county 
should use the same for Court House purposes. A company Avas 
formed for the erection of the building under the name of the 
Storm Lake Building Association. The building erected is 30x36 
feet, tAvo stories high, and rests upon a foundation of solid granite 
masonry. The first story is divided into four rooms Avhich are used 
for county offices, the second story being occu])iedfor a court room. 

The present county officers are: Edgar E. Mack, Clerk of Courts; 
J. W. AVarren, Auditor; George Espe, Treasurer; Daniel Smith, 

:9 



442 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Recorder; E. F. Farnsworth, Sheriff; Robert DeLoss, Surve3'or: 
Thomas Whiteley, Coroner; Ira C. Hirlan, Superiutendent of 
Schools; L. E. Hay. S. Sal e;soii, A. W. Seyraore, Akleu Pratt, 
James N. Hoskins, Board of Supervisors. The population of the 
county in 1880 was 7,557. It may now safely be estimated at over 
8,000. 

The soil in the northi astern diagonal half is a heavy, dark loam; 
and the southwest diagonal half is bluff deposit, or silicious marl; 
both kinds of soil being rich and productive, the eastern being 
more especially adapted to stock-raising and dairy products, and 
more level in its topography, while the west is more rolling and 
undulating, but none of it too much so for desirable tillage. 

The Little Sioux River enters in 93 deg. 36 min., courses west- 
ward ten miles or over and back into Clay county, affording sites 
for two busy flouring mills in this county. 

Coon River heads in Grass Lake, in 93 deg. 36 min., flows south 
and out into Sac County, through 90 deg. 36 min. Maple and 
Brook Creeks, and possibly one or two other streamlets additional, 
afford water for stock and channels for surface drainage. 

The timber is limited, and yet sufficient, with its continuous 
growth, to supply domestic fuel; it is found along the banks and 
valley of the Little Sioux, and in artificial groves scattered over 
the couutv, rejn-esenting the oaks, hard and soft maple, butternut, 
walnut, and a few other varieties. 

The tide immigration into this part of Northwestern Iowa last 
year exceeded the aggregate of several preceding 3'ears, and was 
mainly of the more thrifty class, and many a broad acre was sold 
and broken up. 

One of the most important features in farming in this north- 
western country is flax culture upon new breaking, giving a liberal 
return, and aiding in subduing the land the first year. 

STORM LAKE. 

The first house in Storm Lake was moved into town and occu- 
pied by Barton & Hobbs as a law and real estate office. W. W. 
Sweetzer built the first dwelling house. T. L. Selkirk erected the 
first hotel. 

There seems to be quite a difference of opinion as to how Storm 
Lake received its name. It is supposed to have been given it by an 
old trapper who trajiped, upon its banks, on account of a very se- 
vere storm which occurred upon the lake. The town derived its 
name from the lake. 

The first load of wheat bought in Storm Lake was purchased by 
Mr. Eddy, Oct. 20th, 1870. The amount was 100 bushels and the 
price paid was 75 cents per bushel . The grain was raised by D. B. 
Harrison. 

The first child born in Storm Lake was that of Mr.?. Wirrick 
August 11th, 1870. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 4'13 

The town was incorporated in April, 1873, under the code, S. 
W .Hobbs being the first Mayor, and T. S. Smith, W. H. McCime, 
J. M. Russell, J. A. Campbell and S. C. Highley Trustees; E. C. 
Cowles, Recorder. The following are the present town officers: 
Mayor, Chas. Isbell; Recorder, Geo. H. Eastman: Attorneys, Rob- 
inson & Milchrist; Treasurer, L. E. Hay; Marshal, Street Commis- 
sioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures, Wm. Backer: Deputy 
Marshal and Night Watchman, J. E. Hall; Trustees, W, Bru- 
bacher, S. D. Eadie, J. B. Ames, W. C. Wilson, Jas. Harker and 
M. M. Cogswell. The regular meetings of the Council are held on 
the evening of the first Monday in each month. 

The population of the town is now estimated to be about 1,500. 

The Storm Lake Pilot ^ a weekly Republican paper, was establish- 
ed in 1870, the first issue being on October 26th. It was started 
by Vestal & Young. Young sold to E. I. Sutfin in 1881. The 
paper is a seven-column quarto, and has a circulation of 1,000 
copies. The paper, still conducted by Vestal &. Sutfin, is a first- 
class paper. The publishers have a first-class job office, and the 
paper is one of the best weekly papers in the Northwest. 

The Storm Lake Trihune began its career March 24th, 1880, 
published by G. Rose, who sold it in October, 1881, to P. D. Mc- 
Andrew, who is the present proprietor. It is Republican in poli- 
tics,' is a six-column quarto, and has a circulation of 720 copies.- 
Mr. Andrews also runs a nicely fitted Job office. 

Storm Lake has seen fit to protect itself against the ravages of 
fire by having a regularily organized fire company, with about 
seventy members, these equally divided between the engine com- 
pany and the hook and ladder company. They are in possession 
of a fine engine and apparatus, and are regularly organized and 
uniformed. The department was organized in 1880. The citizens 
have built a large engine house, with a hall in the second story, 
and have a large fire-bell and plenty of good wells through the 
town, so they are well protected from fire. 

Storm Lake boasts of as nice a postoffice as i^n be found in any 
town of its size in the west. In the year 1870 the postoffice of the 
town paid the postmaster the sum ^12.50 per year, and now it pays 
a salary of 81,800. It has been a money-order office for several 
years, and is now rated third-class. The office occupies an entire 
room, is provided with all the modern conveniences, uses 670 
boxes, of which 150 are the improved Yale lock. Col. W. L. 
Vestal, the present postmaster, has held the position of post- 
master ever since the office was established with the exception of 
one year. 

The Buena Vista Creamery is situated three-quarters of a mile 
north of Storm Lake, and was erected in the spring of 1881. 
Commenced operations June 1st, 1881, and ceased for the season 
November 1st, 1881. During the first five months were manu- 
factured about 120,000 pounds of fine butter, all of which was 



44:4: HISTORY OF IOWA. 

sold on the New York market, and quality pronounced equal to 
the finest make of Elgin butter. The building is 66x70 feet, and 
is arranged in the most complete and improved manner. The 
motive power is a ten-horse power engine, and the capacity is 
6,000 pounds of butter per day. All who have visited the cream- 
ery pronounce the plan of operations perfect. The creamery is 
managed entirely on the "cream gathering" plan, and the success 
of this system is practically assured. The interior arrangements 
consist of receiving room, cream room, churning room, packing, 
refrigerator room and ice-house 22x40 feet in dimensions, with a 
capacity for 500 tons. W. B. Cromwell is manager. 

The railroad was completed to Storm Lake in June, 1870. 

Buena Vista County also has a branch of the Wabash Railroad 
running through the northern part of the county. This county 
also looks forw^ard to a branch of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railway from Davenport to Sioux Falls, striking the county, as 
the survey through is now in progress. 

Storm Lake has a number of fine brick buildings. Two banks 
are fine brick structures, and several of the mercantile houses are 
built of brick . The streets are being graded, and the citizens 
take great pride in keeping their city as clean and neat as possible. 

The business houses may be classified as follows: General 
stores, seven; clothiug, one; groceries, one; boots and shoes, two; 
banks, three; bakeries and restaurants, five; meat markets, three; 
hotels, four; elevators, three; lumber and coal, three; millinery, 
four; furniture, two; hardware, two; drugs, four; livery stables, 
four; harness, two; cigar factory, one; jewelry, two; steam plow 
factory; saloons, two; agricultural implements, five; photograph 
gallery, one; barber shops, two; music and books, one; steam flour- 
ing mills; the usual number of blacksmith and wagon shops and 
professional men 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AXD SOCIETIES. 

Baptist Church Society. — The Baptist Church was organized 
March 8th, 1871, with the following members: Mrs. V. Miller, 
Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Robinson and two daughters, J. K. Barns and 
wife. Elder Norman Parks was the first pastor. He was suc- 
ceeded by Wilcox, who in turn gave place to the present pastor, 
Jesse Boswell. First officers: C. H. Yates, Deacon; Mrs. V. 
Miller, Clerk. Present officers: C. C, Angier, Deacon; J. B. 
Miller, Deacon; aud C. L. Angier, Clerk. The present member- 
ship is thirty-nine resident members. They have in connection a 
Sabbath School of about forty pupils, Avith W. C. Wilson as 
Superintendent. The church building was begun in 1873, but was 
not dedicated until January 17th, 1875. It is a neat frame build- 
ing 32x46 feet, and was erected at a cost of ^2.000. 

Methodist Episcopal CJiurch Society. — This Society Avas organ- 
ized in 1870 by Rev. Thomas Whiteley. This gentleman had 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 445 

charge of a number of societies in this region of tlie country at 
that time and it was from his flock that the societies now of Storm 
Lake, Alta, Newell, and many other points sprang and became inde- 
pendent societies. The first pastor of the society in this place 
was Rev. Mr. Oswell. He was followed by Rev. Mr. P'ry, who 
remained a short time and was succeeded by Thomas AVhiteley.and 
the latter in turn by W. Whitfield, who was succeeded by C. Win- 
ters, he by Thomas Barr. Then came in succession Revs. Sey- 
mour Snyder, J. C. R. Leyton, T. M. Williams and the present 
pastor, W. F. Gleason, who took charge in 1881. The present 
officers of the church are M. Tolle, J. R. Lemon, W. L. Smith, D. 
Smith, J. G. McGregor, J. W. Berthards, E. L. Carrington, Thomas 
Whiteley, Trustees. This society has a membership of 120. It 
has a Sabbath School with an average attendance of 125 pupils, 
with J. R. Lemon as Superintendent. This church society was 
organized in a house that was moved into town and which is now 
occupied by A. Eadie. The church building was erected and dedi- 
cated in 1876. The dedication took place in October. It is a neat 
frame building 32x50 feet, and has a seating capacity of 300. It 
is nicely furnished and the building was lately supplied with a new 
bell. This building was erected at a cost of 83,500. The society 
has a neat parsonage in connection with the church. 

German Methodist Episcopal Church Society. — This Society was 
organized December, 18th, 1875, by E. E. Schuette and G. Haef- 
ner. The first officers were: F. Petersmier, J. Buehler, R. C. 
Riekelfs, A. Hartmau, C. Schaefer, Trustees. The first pastor 
was G. Haefner, who was followed by A. W. Henke, and he by 
the present pastor, C. F. Tramm. Present officers: R. C. Riekelfs, 
Geo. Witter, Jacob Brecher, Trustees. Present membership, 
ninety-eight. The society has a Sabbath School with an average 
attendance of twenty-five pupils. A fine frame building was 
erected in 1880 and was dedicated in January, 1881. The building 
is 22X-1-1 feet, has a steeple, and cost $2,000. This society also has 
a neat little parsonage, built in 1881, which is 18x24 feet, one-and- 
a-half stories high, with a wing 18x18 feet. This building was 
erected at a cost of '^1,200. 

Contjregational Church Societ;/. — For several years it had been 
known that a considerable number of the members of the Congrega- 
tional denomination had been making their homes in Storm Lake. 
But because a Presbyterian church had been previously established 
in the place, a large degree of hesitation was felt as to the expe- 
diency of organizing a Congregational church, and various at- 
tempts at union Avith the Presbyterians were projected. None of 
these, however, resulted satisfactoril}-, and in the summer of 1880 
the conviction deepened that the interests of Evangelical Christian 
work demanded the organization of a Congregational church. The 
matter was canvassed somewhat during the early summer by Rev. 
Asa Countryman, of Newell, and farther during the autumn by 



446 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Rev. J. B. Chase of Cherokee. October 24th, at a called meeting, 
a paper was presented containing the names of twenty-six persons 
not connected with any religious organization in the town, who 
pledged themselves, if it were thought best, to enter into the or- 
ganization of a Congregational church. On this pledge as a basis, 
knowing that several other persons in the community were favor- 
able to the step, it was decided to organize, and the accompanying- 
articles of faitlrand convenant were adopted, and a council consist- 
ing of the Sioux Association was called to review proceedings and 
if deemed best recognize the church. The council convened No- 
vember 4th, according to invitation, reviewed the situation, en- 
dorsed the action of the church and formally extended the right 
hand of fellowship. Temporary arrangements were made for a 
house of worship, a Sabbath School and prayer-meeting were ox- 
ganized, and Rev. J. B. Chase, of Cherokee, consented to give as 
much of his time to the new enterprise as could be consistently 
spared from his other work. This society now has a membership 
of forty-two, and holds services in the Court House. It has a 
Sabbath School with an average attendance of 100 pupils. H. H. 
Smith is Superintendent. The first and present officers of this 
society are: G. Stetson, J. L. Dickerson and H. H. Smith, Dea- 
cons; E. E. Mack, Clerk and Treasurer; G. Stetson, H. C. Cutts 
and E. E. Mack, Trustees. Rev. A. S. Newcomb is the present 
pastor. 

Catholio CJuorJi Society. — This society was organized in 1871, 
and was the first church organization in Storm Lake. It was or- 
ganized by Rev. Father Malloy. The present pastor, Father GafF- 
ney. the first and only resident pastor, took charge in November, 
1878. The church building w^as erected in 1871 at a cost of 81,- 
300. There are about sixtv-five families connected with the 
church at this place. There is also a Sabbath School in connection. 

Unirersalist Cliuirh Sociefi/. — This society Avas organized March 
27th, 1874. First officers; G. S. Robinson, W. L. Vestal and S. 
W. Hobbs, Trustees. First pastor, I. A. Everhart, he being suc- 
ceeded by J. A. Hoyt, he by Karl Gerner, he by B. F. Snook. H. 
Whitney is the present incumbent.. Present officers: S. W. Hobbs, 
William Guilford, J. A. Dean, Trustees. This society now has a 
membership of thirty-six, and a Sabbath School with an average 
attendance of fifty-four pupils. The school has a fine lil^rar}" con- 
taining 200 volumes. H. Whitney is the Superintendent, This 
society first held services in the Baptist Church. Up to this time 
the Baptist Society had a debt of about §600 upon the church 
building, and agreed to give the Universalist Society the use of the 
church for one-half of the time, the latter society to pay off one- 
half the standing debt. This lease was for five years. The Uni- 
versalist Society erected a building in 1881. This is a fi-ame 
structure, 30x50 feet, and cost about §4,0)0. This church is not 
only the largest but is the best furnished church in the city. 



HISTORY OF TOWA. 447 

Preshjjterian Church Society. — Organized December, 1870, with 
seven members, Rev. G. R. Carroll, missionary of the Presbyterian 
Board of Home Missions, officiating, S. D. Eadie, W. IT. McCune, 
Elders. This Society has a nice frame building. Joshua Cooke 
is the present pastor. 

Storm Lake Schools. — The first school taught in Storm Lake 
was taught in the house of S. D. Eadie, by Alma L. Gates, It 
was opened November 21st, 1870, with fifteen pupils in attend- 
ance. Storm Lake became an independent district in 1872. First 
school officers: J. I. Wirrick, President; G. W. Hobbs, Ed. 
Wirrick, J. 0. Strong, Directors; E. I. Sutfin, Treasurer. 

The first school house built in the town was erected in 1874, 
the first teacher being Maggie Ross. This building becoming 
too small to accommodate all the pupils, the town built a small 
frame building in 1875, Avhich was used for primary purposes. 
These buildings becoming too small to accommodate the pupils, 
the town built an addition to the first building, which was of 
brick. This building was completed in 1880, and Storm Lake can 
now boast of one of the finest school buildings in the western part 
of the State. Present Board of Education: E. E. Mack, Presi- 
dent; E. F. O'Neill, Secretary; Rev. J. Cooke, E. W. Benson, E. 
M. Fuller, W. H. Shoop, and S. W. Perrine, Directors. The pres- 
ent teachers are: Prof. A. A. Crary, Principal; Mrs. A. A. Crary, 
Miss S. A. Childs, Mrs. L. C. Lauder, and Miss L. Drips, assistants. 
The present enrollment of pupils is 318. 

Storm Lal'e Lodge No. 221, A. 0. U. IF.— Instituted De- 
cember 7th, 1880. "First officers: J. A. Dean, P. M. W.; F. E. 
Cushman, M. W.;W. L. Vestal, Foreman; T. A. Strong, Over- 
seer; C. W. Eccleston, Guide; E. E. Mack, Recorder; J. B. Ames, 
Financier; T. J. McCall, Receiver: T. A. Corbitt. I. W.; F. B. 
Brown, 0. W.; W. Miller, S. B. Steiner and J. W. Gilbert, Trus- 
tees; J. N. Warren and W. H. Kerr. Medical Examiners. Pres- 
ent officers: H.C.Johnson, P. W.M.; E. E. Mack, M. W.; C. 
W, Seidel. Foreman; W. C. Wilson, Overseer; E. S. Donaho, 
Guide; C. W. Eccleston, Financier; J. T. McCall, Receiver; T. A. 
Corbett, I. W.; R. A. Beun. 0. W.; Peter Schmitz, Wm. Miller, 
J. W. Gilbert, Trustees. Medical Examiners same as at first. 
This Lodge now has a membership of thirty-seven, and holds 
meetings once in two weeks. It is in a flourishing condition. 

Storm Lake Lodge No. 221, I. 0. 0. i^\— Instituted May 
10th, 1871, bvT. J.'Kinkaid, of Sioux City, D. D. G. M. First 
officers: J. C. Spooner, N. G.; T. S. Smith, V. G.: J. L. W^ilson, 
Secretary; L. J. Barton, Treasurer. Present officers: C. E. 
Cameron, N. G.; A. R. McCartney, Y. G.; L. G. Malborne, Secre- 
tary; Wm. Miller, Treasurer, The present membership is about 
sixty. The Lodge holds meetings every Saturday night in Masonic 
Hall. There is also an encampment of this order, in a flourish- 
ing condition in connection with the Lodge. 



448 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Jewel Lodge No. 300, A. F. d- A. J/.— Instituted October 26th, 
1871. Charter granted June, 1872. First officers under dispen- 
sation: J. E. Wirrick, W. M.; E. I. Sutfiu, S. W.; E. Wirrick, 
J. W.;, P. Schaller, Secretary; W. L. Vestal. Treasurer; D. B. 
Harrison, S. D.; E. S. Fanning, J. D. ; N. Parks, Chaplain; E. W. 
Benson, Tyler. (The above named persons were the Charter 
Members.) Present officers: 0. D. Pettel, W. M.;T. D. 
Higgs, S. W.; J. A. Dean, J. W.; S. W. Hobbs, Secretary; 
M. Tolle, Treasurer; B. F. Langdon, S. D.; Frank Webb, J. 
D. ; M. Tolle, Chaplain; R.J. Fowler, Tyler. This Lodge now 
has a membership of forty-six, and meet the Thursday evening 
on or before each full moon in their hall, over the First National 
Bank. This Lodge is in a growing condition. 

SIOUX PtAPIDS. 

Sioux Rapids was platted by D, C Thomas and David Evans in 
1869. The county seat of Buena Vista county was removed 
from Prairieville to this place in 1869, and, as was stated in Storm 
Lake items, was removed to Storm Lake in 1878. The Court 
House was burned at this place in 1876. 

Tyford, Blake, Gilbert, and Hollinger are among the earliest 
settlers in this phace. This town is not at this date incorporated, 
but steps have been taken to have it incorporated this spring. 
The town noAV has a population of about 400, and from the fact 
that the railroad is now completed to this point, it will rapidly in- 
crease in population, and incorporation will become a necessity. 

The Sioux Rapids Press, a neat weekly, eight-column folio, 
made its first appearance May 25th, 1881. It now has a circula- 
tion of 740 copies. Is Republican in politics. W. S. Wescott is 
proprietor. It bids fair soon to rank with the leading newspapers 
of the county. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Methodist Episcojxd CJiurch Society. — This was the first Metho- 
dist Society organized within the bounds of the charge known as 
the Spirit Lake Circuit. It was organized by Rev. Seymour Sny- 
der with 0. C. Potts as leader, in 1865. This society was organ- 
ized about three miles from the present town of Sioux Rapids. In 
1874 Rev. C. W. Wiley organized the first society in the present 
town. This society erected a church building, the first church in 
town, in 1877. This is a neat frame building, size 30x40 feet. 
The cost was 81,700. Rev. Seymour Snyder was the first pastor 
on this circuit, he being followed by Rev. Hawks, he by C. W. 
Clifton. Then followed Revs. Whiteley, Pitts, Ziegler. Fancher, 
C. W. Wiley, L. B. Keeling, Seymour Snyder, R. Fancher, 0. H. 
P. Fauss and then the present incumbent. Rev. S. Snyder, First 
officers: D. C. Thomas, Lot Thomas, W. L. Pratt, M. Clemens, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 449 

Mrs. A. Tyers, J. M. Hoskins, Peter Dubois, Sr., E. Sands, J. R. 
Noel, Trustees; Mrs. A. Tyers, Mrs. C. M. Clemens, J. R. Noel, 
Stewards. Present officers: J. Frankenberger, S. Dubois. 0. G. 
Taber, C. C. Awvell, A. E. Taber, L. Carter, Stewards; 0. G. Braiu- 
ard, P. Dubois, Sr., 0. G. Taber and M. Hoskins, Trustees. This 
society has a meml)ership of seventy-seven. There is a Sabbath 
School in connection, with an attendance of fifty pupils. Mrs. 
0. G. Brainard is Superintendent. This society has now in pro- 
cess of construction a parsonage 18x24: feet in dimensions, which 
will cost .$400 . 

Baptist (liurch Societij. — Was organized in 18S1, by D.D. 
Proper. The first pastor was Rev. A. V. Bloodgo'od, he also be- 
ing the present incumbent. First officers: W. A. Wilson, Clerk; 
P . W . Goodrich, Deacon . This society has a membership of eight, 
and holds services in the Congregational Church . There is also a 
Sabbath School with an average attendance of thirty pupils. W. 
A . Wilson is Superintendent . 

Co}if/)-e(/ational Church Society. — Organized November 4th, 1875, 
its first officers being Henry Gleason and S. Warner, Deacons; H. 
S, Newcomb, Clerk; first pastor. Rev. J. W. Smith. The society 
has a membership of fourteen with A. M. Beamau as the present 
pastor. The society built a church in 1881, size 20x36 feet. This 
building was erected at a cost of 8T00. Present officers: Henry 
Gleason, S. S. Warner, Deacons, and H. S. Newcomb, Clerk. 

Lutheran Church Societies. — There are two organizations of 
Lutherans in Sioux Rapids which were both organized in 1870, 
Rev. A. Johnson and Rev. G. Gulbrenson being the present pastors. 

Sioux Rapids Public School. — Sioux Rapids became an independ- 
ent school district in 1878, the first school being taught in 1869. 
The present school building was erected in 1870. The present 
teachers are Prof. J. S. McSparran and Avife. The present enroll- 
ment of pupils is 100. The present School Board consists of S. S. 
Warner, Henry Jacobson and J. M. Hoskins. 

Enterprise Lodge No. 332, A. F. & A. J/.— Instituted 1874. 
The charter members were AV. L. Pratt, D. C. Thomas, Lot 
ThomHS, 0. G. Brainard, Gus. Gilbert, T. M. Watts, E. Bailey, 
0. P. Warner, W. L. Pratt being the first W. M. Present offi- 
cers: J. M. Hoskins, AY. M.; C. L. Ward, S. W.; C. A. Ander- 
son, J. AV.; S. E. Harris, Treasurer; AV. A. Jones, Secretary. 
This society now has a membership of twenty, and is in a flourish- 
ing condition. 

Sioux Rapids" flouring mills are located on the Big Sioux River, 
which attbrds an immense water power. The mill was built in 
1871, and has two run of stone, and one feed buhr. The mill has 
a capacity of fifty barrels per day. AA'ilson & Smith, the present 
proprietors, are making preparations to enlarge their mill for the 
manufacture of patent flour. 



-450 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The business houses of Sioux Rapids may be classified as fol- 
lows: General stores, three: hardware, two; drug store, 
jewelry store; harness, two; blacksmith shops, two; restaurants, 
three; hotels, two; lumber dealer; livery, two; furniture store; 
barber shop; postoffice, printing office, saloons, three; millinery: 
shoe shops, two; meat market, bank, and the usual quota of 
lawyers, doctors and land agents. 

ALT A. 

Alta was platted in 1872 by the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Land 
Company. It is situated on the Illinois Central Railroad, in the 
western part of Buena Vista County . The first house built in the 
town was erected by Mr. Tibbets, in 1870, and was occupied as a 
store. J. Morrisey and S . Furlong each built a dwelling about 
the same time. The town was incorporated under Code in 1879. 
First officers were: A. W. Seymour, Mayor; L. Wheelock, Jr. , 
Recorder; A. Leander. Treasurer; C. T. Steever, Assessor; J. W. 
Slutz, P. M. Jencks. H. C Kelso, A. F. S. Rokkan, Dr. R. B. 
Dando, F. 0. Wiss, Trustees, Present officers: C. T. Steever, 
Mayor; W. H. Pierce, Recorder; A. Leander, Treasurer; R. B. 
Dando, A. F. A. Rokkan, D. Burke, 11. C Kelso, J. W. Slutz, 
Ct. Gerner, Councilnien; City Attorney, F.J. Stockwell. 

The population of Alta is now estimated to be about 700. It 
has grown very rapidly, and being situated in an extremely fertile 
country, it is destined at no far distant future, to become an import- 
ant point. It already does an immense business in shipments of 
grain and live stock . 

The Alta Advertiser was started in September, 1876, as a monthly 
paper, but was changed to a weekly in June, 1877. It is independ- 
ent in politics, and has a circulation of 660 copies. Its editor 
and proprietor is C. T. Steever, he having started the paper. 

The business of Alta comprises: Three general stores, two drug 
stores; two grocery stores, boot aud shoe store, two hardware 
stores, meat market, two lumber dealers, two agriculture imple- 
ment dealers, bank, two furniture stores, clothing store, barber 
shop, two saloons, music store, two jewelry stores, restaurant, 
four blacksmiths, two elevators, grist mill. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Methodist Episcopal Church Society. — Organized in 1870. The 
church building was erected in 1876 and was dedicated in Novem- 
ber of that year. Rev. Henry Brown being the first pastor. He 
was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Brown and he by Rev. C. M. Bryan, 
and the latter by Rev. D. M. Beams. Rev. C. B. Winter. avIio 
took charge in September, 1881, is the present incumbent. First 
officers: H. Bennett, C. Schell, G. H. Richmond, J. L. Wilson. J. 
L. Bennett, Geo. G. Espe and W. S. Van Baskirk, Trustees. The 



ii 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 451 

present Board is the same as the first with the exception of S. Par- 
ker, instead o£ G. G. Espe. The society has eighty members, also 
a Sabbath School with an average attendance of eighty pupils. G. 
W. Wheat is Superintendent. The church building is a fine 
frame structure, 32x50 feet, with a seating capacity of 300 persons, 
and was erected at a cost of fi2,500. 

Siredish Lutheran Clmrcli Society. — This society was organized 
in 1875. It has never had any regular pastor up to this date. The 
present officers are: A. Banekson, Chas. Johnson, Geo. Johnson, 
A. Johnson, A. W. Johnson and L. Ljengqvist. H. Jacobson is 
acting as pastor for the church at present. The church has 160 
members. There is a Sabbath School in connection, of which H. 
Jacobson is Superintendent. The church building was erected in 
18S1. It is a large frame structure, 32x60 feet, and 125 feet high, 
including steeple. It is nicely fitted up on the inside, and has a 
gallery extending across the north end of the room. This build- 
ing was erected at a cost of ^-1,000. 

Alta Public School. — The first school in Alta was taught by 
Mrs. E. P. Gilliam, in 187-1, in A. Rokkan's house. Alta became 
an independent district in 1881. The first school building was 
built in 1876. The first School Board un'^er the independent dis- 
trict was as follows: R. J. Macdonald, G. Gerner, R. H. Brown, 
T. 0. Wiss, H. J. Poulson and S. B. Birdsall. S. Furlong was 
Treasurer, J. D. Adams, Secretary. This is also the present Board. 
G. VV. Wheat has charge of the school at present, assisted by S. 
F. Keith and Miss A. Salisbury. They have a very comfortable 
building and a large enrollment of pupils. 

Alta Lodge No. 388, J. 0. 0. J\— Instituted December 18th, 
1878. The charter members Avere: A. W. Seymour, P. M. Jencks, 
J. I. Burkholder, H. C. Kelso, C. T. Steever, L. Wheelock and N. 
Anderson. First officers: A. W. Seymour, N. G.; P.M. Jencks, 
V. G.; L. Wheelock, Secretary; J. I. Burkholder, Treasurer. 
Present officers: L. Wlieelock, N. G.; J. W. Bard, V. G.; W. H. 
Cox, Secretary; Geo. Steever, Treasurer. This Lodge has a mem- 
bership of fifty-six and is in a very prosperous condition. It meets 
every Wednesday evening. The members have a room rented and 
fitted up in company with the Masonic order. The room is nicely 
carpeted and is well furnished. 

Pomegranate Lodge No. 408, A. F. dA. M. — Dispensation 
was granted this Lodge November 30th, 1880, and a charter was 
received June 9th, 1881 . The charter members were: C T- Stee- 
ver, R.J. Macdonald, G- Gerner, G. S. Kendall, S. G. Stout, J. 
H. Wadsworth, J. W. Slutz, B. S. Benson, Jr., G. W. Mathews, 
and S. B. Birdsall. Tlie first officers were: C T. Steevers, ^\ . 
M . ; R . J . Macdonald, S . W^ ; G . Gerner, J . W . Present officers : 
R.J. Macdonald, W. M. ; G. Gerner. S. W\ ; S. B. Birdsall, J. 
W.; S. Furlong, Treasurer; W. H. Pierce, Secretary; W. Mel- 
ville, S . D . ; L . B . Collins, J . D . ; J . Mathews, Tiler. This so- 



452 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

ciety meets once each nioath in the same hall with the Odd Fel- 
lows. There are twenty-four members. The Lodge is in a flourish- 
ing condition . 

Si(»i))iit Lodf/e Xo. 103, Iowa Legion of Honor . — This society- 
was organized March 2(3th, 1881. Its first officers were: C. M. 
Beam, President; L. B. Collins, Secretary; J. S. Piatt, Treasurer. 
Present officers: P. M. Jencks, President: T. E. Sprague, Secretary; 
C. M. Beam. Treasurer. The present membership is twenty, the 
organization having suffered the loss of two of its members. 

NEWELL. 

This town is situated on the Illinois Central Railroad, ninety- 
two miles from Sioux City and 234 miles from Dubuque. The 
town was laid out by the railroad company in July, 1870, but no 
lots were off'ered for sale until Nov., 1870. The first settlement 
was made in the town by E. G. Chandler, in 1869. The first 
house built in the town was that of W. R. Batton, in June, 1870. 
This was used as a boarding house. G. B. Sargent built the first 
store, the building being 22x42 feet, two stories high. The second 
story was used for church purposes and as a town hall. The first 
drug store Avas erected by E. W. Foy m 1870. G. W, Stevens 
erected a hotel the same year. Swezey & Stetson started the first 
lumber yard. G. B. Sargent was the first Postmaster. 

The town was incorporated in 1878. The first officers were: L. 
H. Gordon, Mayor; Will White, Recorder; W. A. Waterman, As- 
sessor; L. T. Swezey, 0. H. Hazard, S. A. Parker, E. G. Chandler 
and W. A. Welch, Trustees. Present officers: Mayor, W. M. 
Borman; Recorder, L. S. Bunker; Marshal, William Conley; Treas- 
urer, H. E. Harris; Street Commisioner, E. W. Stetson; Assessor, 
C. F. Chipman. Trustees: H. M. Redfield, Will Riddle, F. P. 
Mack, J. T. Redfield, L. F. Holbrook, Theo. Smith. 

The Newell Times made its first issue August 24th, 1871 . This 
was the first paper started in Newell, and was published by J . L . 
Long. It ceased to exist November 2d, 1872. 

The next paper started at Newell was the Neivell Reporter. This 
was established December 27th, 1872, with G- B. Sargent as pro- 
prietor, and H. R. Colman as editor. This paper sent out its last 
issue April 18th, 1873. 

The Buena Vista County Star was the next journalistic venture 
in this place. It was started August 21st, 1873, with F. E. 
Raber as proprietor, and W . L. Raber as editor. This paper 
flourished for a short time, and then died. 

The Newell Mirror then took up the line of march and made its 
first issue January loth, 1875, with Will. White as editor and 
proprietor. This paper first started as a five-column folio, was 
enlarged to a four-column quarto, afterwards to a seven-column 
quarto. White sold it to B. C Hill, who in turn sold it to James 
Miller. In March, 1880, Miller disposed of it to C F. Overacker. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 453 

In December, 1880, Miller a^ain took charge and rented it to C. 
Everett Lee, the latter purchasing the paper in July, 1881. It is 
now an eight-column folio. Republican in politics, and has an 
actual circulation of 480. 

The Newell Creamery began operations in May, 1881 . The 
proprietors have a building 20x30 feet, with two wings, one 10x20 
feet and one 12x12 feet. The edifice is one story high. The 
creamery is supplied with a four and one-half-horse-power engiae 
and all the modern appliances . It is run on the cream-gathering 
plan, by Norton & Welch, proprietors. 

The Newell grist mill, L. F. Holbrook proprietor, is a steam mill 
with four run of stone, and manufactures four grades of flour — 
Superfine, Family, XXX, XXXX. 

The business of NeAvell comprises: Four general stores, three 
drugstores, grocery store, two hotels, meat market, two restaur- 
ants, two millinery stores, harness shop, two lumber dealers, flour 
and feed store, four elevators, two agricultural implement dealers, 
three coal dealers, bank, news depot, furniture store, two jewelry 
stores, two barber shops, two shoe shops, two blacksmith shops, 
wagon shop, tailor shop, saloon. 

The population of Newell is about 700 . 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

MetJwdist Episcopal Church Society. — This society was organ- 
ized in 1872, by Rev. Woodford. The church building was erected 
in 1878. It is a frame building, 20x45 feet, and cost^2,400. The 
parsonage was built in 1875, at a cost of $500. This society has 
sixty-four members, with Rev. R. Fancher as pastor. There is a 
Sabbath School in connection, with an average attendance of 
seventy pupils. G. L. Dobson is Superintendent. 

Congregational CJiurch Society. — Organized in 1871, the first 
pastor being Rev. Grifiin. The first officers Avere: E. W. Foy, 
H. A. Cushman, L. Gordon, J. L. Redfield and L. T. Swezey; 
Trustees. The present Trustees are: J. T. Redfield, S. A. Parker, 
E. Herrick, Mrs. J. T. Redfield. Rev. A. C. Countryman is the 
present pastor. This society has at present sixty members, Avith 
a Sabbath School in connection, with an average attendance of 
eighty pupils. D. C. Miller is Superintendent. The church edi- 
fice was erected in 1870. It is a large frame buildiug. 28x44 feet, 
and was erected at a cost of $^2,400. It is calculated to seat 200 
persons. 

XcH-ell Public School.^Ju\ia Lamreaux taught the first school 
in this place, in a school house situated one-fourth mile from the 
present town. Newell became an independent district March 2Sth, 
1874. The first teachers under the indepeudent district were: J. 
Davis and G. A. Childs. The first School Board was: A. D. Wil- 
son, F. M. Cox, T. AV. Lebo. Present Board: S. A. Parker, G. 
L. Dobson, H. M. Redfield; L. H. Gordon, Treasurer, and W. A. 



464 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Waterman, Secretary. The present teachers are: C. E. Rice, 
principal; Miss Nellie Dunphy, assistant. The school building, 
built in 1876, is a two-story brick structure, 28x38 feet, and 
was erected at a cost of $2,700. It contains two rooms. 

Campaian Lodge No. 42^ I. 0. G. T. — Instituted January, 
1882, by C. T. Griifith, of Maple Valley. Charter members: S. 
A. Parker, F. M. Maps and wife, L. H. Gordon and wife, Mrs. S. 
D. Driver, and others. First officers: L. H. Gordon, W. C. T.; 
Mrs. L. H. Gordon, W. V. T.; L. D. Winn, P. W. C. T.; Mr. 
Campton, W. C; S. A. Parker, W. F.; Mrs. W. H. Scott. W. T,: 
0. A.Cate,W.S.; Mrs.O. A. Gate, A. S.; U. Metcalf , W.M.; Mrs. 
Metcalf, W. D. M. Present officers: L. H. Gordon, W. C. T.; 
Miss Nellie Dunphy, W.V. T.; 0. A. Gate, P. W. G. T.; Mr. 
Gampton,W.G.; J. Prayer, W. S.; Miss Welch, A. S.; Mrs. W. 
H. Stott, W. T.; U. Metcalf, W. M.; Mrs. Metcalf, W.D.M. 
This society meets Wednesday night in each week, in I. 0. 0. F. 
Hall. It has a membership of fifty, and is progressing finely. 

Keij Lodge Xo. 102, Iowa Legion of Honor. — Instituted March, 
1881. It has a membership of twent3^-two, Avith the following 
officers: L. H. Gordon, President; G. Dillon, Vice-President; F. 
P. Mack, Financial Secretary; H. M. Redfield, Recording Secre- 
tary; H. E. Harris, Treasurer; L. Longnecker, Usher. 

Jewell Lodge No. 232, I. 0. 0. F. — Present officers: John 
Evans, N. G.;G. Everett Lee, V. G.; Wm. Borman, S.; L. T. 
Swezey, T. The Lodge now numbers twenty members. They 
meet every Saturday night in Swezey's Hall, which is a large room 
25x60 feet, is carpeted and nicely furnished with all the furniture 
peculiar to the order. 

The order of Free Masons are making preparations to perfect an 
organization of a lodge at this place. 



BUENA VISTA COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



STORM LAKE. 

E. W. Benson, of the firm of Benson & Son^ dealers in all kinds 
of grain, flax, wool, seeds, live stock, etc., was born in 0. in 1834; 
came west in 1854, located at Storm Lake, la., 1869, and engaged 
for a time in farming; then in grain buying. He served one 
year in the war of the rebellion in the 49th Wis. Vol. as corporal. 

B. F. Benson, of the firm of Benson & Son, was born in Wis. 
in 1863; received his education in Storm Lake and Ghicago, 111., 
and Nov. 15th, 1881, associated himself with his father in the 
above firm. 



HISTORY OF lOWi. 455 

D. D. Brown, of the Mrm of Brown & Morey, druggists, was 
born in Mass. in 183G; removed to Minn, in 1858; thence to Storm 
Lake in 1872, and is now engaged in the above business, which was 
established in 187G, by Cameron & Wagoner. 

C. F. Barber, of the firm of Barber Boys, wholesale and retail 
dealers in carriages, buggies, spring wagons, etc.; also run a first- 
class livery barn in connection, the size of which is sixty by one 
hundred and twenty feet. C. F. B. was born in Freeport. 111., in 
1850; moved to Newell, la., in 1877; thence to Storm Lake in 
1878, and engaged in business as above. He married May Ewing, 
of Freeport. They have two daughters — Mary and Ethel. 

Robert Cummiugs^ landlord of the City Hotel, was born in N. 
Y. in 1830; moved to Clinton county, la., in 1852.. In 1872 he 
came to Storm Lake and engaged in farming. He served two 
terms as auditor of Buena Vista county, and is one of the repre- 
sentative men of the county. He engaged in the hotel business, 
Sept. 1st, 1881, and keeps a first-class house and polite attendants. 

T. A. Corbett, manager for the Singer manufacturing company, 
for Buena Vista, Cherokee, Ida and Sac counties, was born in 111. 
in 1849; moved to Cedar Rapids, la., in 1868. In 1880 he moved 
to Storm Lake, and engaged in business as above. He married 
Alice M. Demuth, of Cedar Rapids, and has one daughter — Aline. 

E. Cameron, proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stable, was 
born in Buchanan county, la.; moved to Storm Lake in April, 
1881, and engaged in the above business. He married Amelia C. 
Sanders, of Buchanan county, and has one child — -Ada. 

F. E. Cushman, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, fruits, con- 
fectionery, etc., was born in Niagara county, N. Y., in 1850; re- 
moved to Monroe, Wis., in 1855; thence to Eldora, la., and in 1880 
to Storm Lake, and established his present business in May of the 
same 5'ear. He married Mary J. Metcalf, a native of Wis. They 
have one son and one daughter. 

E,-S. Donoho, carpenter and builder, was born in Delaware in 
1849; moved to Troy, 111., in 1870. In 1876 he came to Storui 
Lake, and engaged in business as above. He married Nancy C. 
Willoughby, of 111., and has one daughter — Edna A. 

James De Land, of the firm of Witt & De Land, proprietors of 
the Chicago bakery and restaurant, and dealers in confectionery, 
tobacco, cigars, etc., was born in Ohio in 1859; moved to 111. Avith 
his parents in 1860. He moved to Storm Lake in 1877, and en- 
gaged in the above business in 1881. 

J. 0. Douglass, baker and dealer in confectionery, tobacco, cigars, 
staple and fancy groceries, etc., was born in Vermillion county, 
111., in 1852; moved to Decatur county, la., in 1855; thence to 
A^ermillion, Dak.; came to Storm Lake in 1880, and engaged in 
business as above. He married Abbie Rhodes, and has one son, 
George G. 



456 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

A. A. DeGrafF, dealer in live stoi^k, was born in Schenectady 
county, N. Y., in 1827; removed to III. in 1852; thence to Storm 
Lake in 1875 and engaged in his present business. He owns a fine 
farm near town. He married Caroline Rainbow, of Troy, N. Y., 
who died Feb. 22nd, 1880. 

G. E. Ford, of the firm of Ford & Bro., dealers in general mer- 
chandise, was born in Vt. in 1850; moved to N. Y. City, and in 
187'1 to Waterloo, la.; two years later, he came to Storm Lake and 
established his present business, which occupies a fine store build- 
ing, two stories high; employs five clerks, the sales averaging 
fifty thousand dollars per annum. He married Carrie Pettit, of 
Des Moines, la., and has one son and one daughter. 

C. H. Fisk, proprietor of billiard hall and bowling alley; also 
deals in cigars, tobacco and confectionery. He was born in N. Y. 
in 1819; moved to Wis. in 1856; thence to Minn. In 1868 became 
to Storm Lake and engaged in farming. He now owns 160 acres 
of land eight miles from this city, also property at Sioux Rapids. 
He has served in various town offices. He married Mary J. Alex- 
ander, of Ohio, and has one son — Ernest. 

J. W. Gilbert, of the firm of Gilbert & Thomason, dealers in 
general merchandise, was born in la. in 1854; received his educa- 
tion in Clayton county, and in 1875 moved to Storm Lake, and 
was employed in clerking, until 1880, when he engaged in his pres- 
ent business, which occupies a fine brick store building of two 
stories and a basement. He married Katie King, of Sac county. 
They have one child, a son. 

A. Grier, proprietor of the Farmers' hotel and restaurant, was 
born in Clinton, Pa., in 1851; removed to Freeport, 111., in 1865, 
and in 1876 came to Storm Lake and engaged in farming, until 
1880, when he established the above business, where can be had 
warm meals and lunches at all hours, and choice confectionery, 
oysters, etc. He married Jennie Nesbit, of Harrisburg, Fa., and 
has two children — Lizzie and Edith. 

Hobbs & Sutfin, real estate and investment agents; agents for the 
Iowa railroad land company, the Iowa Falls & Sioux City railroad 
company, and the Iowa Falls & Sioux City town lot and land com- 
pany. They have 200,000 acres of improved lands, with perfect 
titles, in Buena Vista count}^ la., which they ofi'er to bona fide 
settlers on easy terms. Correspondence solicited. 

Charles Isbell, dealer in grain, live stock, etc., was born in 111. 
in 1816; was in the employ of the I. C. R. R. company as operator 
and agent for a number of years, then came to Storm Lake and en- 
gaged in his present business; was formerly in partnership Avith 
Mr. Benson. He served in the army during the late war four years , 
in Co. K, 52nd 111. Inft. He is the present major of this city. 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 457 

William J. Johnson, of the firm of Riekelfs & Co., plow manu- 
facturers, was born in Delaware county, la., in 1861; came to 
Storm Lake in 1872. In Dec, 1881, he became a member of the 
above firm. He married Frederica Riekelfs, of Storm Lake. 

L. C.Jones, of the firm of Jones & Fawkes, proprietors of the 
meat market and provision store, was born in Mass. in 1835; moved 
to Ogle county, 111., in 185G. He came to Storm Lake in 1878. 
and engaged in farming, six miles from town. In Aug., 1881, he 
engaged in the butcher business, and since has added a complete 
line of groceries. He married Jane WadsAvorth, of 111. They 
have six children — Lettie J., Herbert R., Mittie V., Willie F., 
Charles C. and Grace E. 

H. E. Kingsley, house, sign, carriage and ornamental painter, 
was born in Conn, in 1841; moved to III. in 1857; thence to Storm 
Lake in 1875; was engaged in farming for six years, after which he 
established business as above. Has held various public offices. He 
married Adella Tolman, of 111. They have four children, Edgar 
W., George N.,Fred L.,and Maria A. 

John R. Lemon, of the Buena Vista, County Bank, was born in 
Ohio in 1836; moved to Freeport, 111., and in 1874 came to Storm 
Lake. He established the above banking house in September of 
the same year, which is the oldest bank in the city. They do a 
general banking business, negotiate loans, etc. Correspondence: 
First National Bank, of Chicago; First National Bank, of Dubuque; 
First National Bank, of N. Y., and Preston, Kean & Co., of Chi- 
cago. Mr. Lemon has had a wide experience in the insurance busi- 
ness, having during his earlier life served as president and secre- 
tary of insurance companies. 

William Miller, dealer in fancy groceries, tobacco, pipes, etc., 
was born in Germany in 1843; came to America in 1864 and set- 
tled in Clayton county, la. In 1872 he came to Storm Lake, and 
engaged in blacksmithing for three years. He then opened a res- 
taurant and eating house, which he continued until engaged as 
above. He married Rosa Wise, of Germany, and has four chil- 
dren, Julia, Willie, Lottie and Eva. 

R. R. Mann, of the firm of Warren & Mann, blacksmiths, was 
born in PlattAille, AVis., in 1855; moved to Storm Lake in 1878, 
and engaged in the above business. 

P. D. McAndrew is the editor and proprietor of the Storm Lake 
Tribune, a six-column quarto, with a circulation of thirty quires. 
The Tribune is republican in politics, and was estaljlished in Mar., 
1880. 

J. P. Morey, of the firm of Brown & Morey, was born in N. Y. 
in 1850; removed to 111. in 1864; thence to La Fayette county, 
Wis.; came to Storm Lake in 1878, and became a partner in the 
above firm. 

3) 



458 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

E. F. O'Neil, proprietor of the bakery near the depot, was boru 
in Wis. in 1853, came to Sioux City, la., in 1870, and located at 
Storm Lake in 1876; married Cornelia Dutcher, of Wis., and has 
five children. He is the inventor of O^Neil's self-playing organ 
attachment, an invention that is attracting general attention. By 
its use the simplest as well as the most difficult music can be per- 
formed with absolute correctness. It can be attached to any key- 
board instrument in an instant, and as quickly removed. The ne- 
cessity of condensation in a work of this character alone prevents 
an extended description of this valuable invention. Mr. O'Neil 
was for several years city recorder of Storm Lake, and is a well- 
known and valuable citizen. 

R. C. Riekelfs, of the firm of Riekelfs & Co., plow manufac- 
turers and blacksmiths, was born in Germany in 1824; came to 
America in 1850, and settled in 111., where he was employed as 
foreman in a large plow factory. He moved to Buena Vista county, 
la., and engaged in farming, until establishing the above named 
business in March, 1878. He married Tina Meints, of Ger. They 
have seven children. 

W. S. Russell, of the firm of Langdou & Russell, dealers in gen- 
eral merchandise, was born in Wis.; moved to Fort Dodge, la., in 
1866. In 1875 he came to Storm Lake, and in January, 1882, 
associated himself with B. F, Langdou, in the above business. 

J. F. Roy, blacksmith, was born in Mass. in 1845; removed to 
111. in 1866, and in 1878 he came to Storm Lake, and engaged in 
his present business. He married Julia Murphy, a native of Mass. 
They have six children, Lucy, Mary. Clarence, Frank, Eugene 
And Albert. 

J. Sampson, vice-president of the Iowa land and loan company, 
is connected with the Buena Vista county creamery, which began 
operations June 2, 1881, and has the capacity for making into 
butter the cream from five to ten thousand cows. From the time 
of commencing operations to Oct. 31st, of the same year, 113,290 
pounds of butter were made. They have adopted the method of 
gathering the cream only, thus leaving the farmers the skim-milk, 
buying the cream by the inch, basing the prices on Chicago quota- 
tions. The churning is done by steam power, and the butter 
worked by a new power butter worker, therefore not necessitating 
the use of the hands in any stage of the manufacture. Any one 
wishing further information will receive it by addressing J. 
Sampson, Storm Lake, la. 

John Scheler, proprietor of City meat market, was born in Ger- 
many in 1846; came to America in 1S6G, and located at Madison, 
Wis.; removed to Storm Lake and engaged in his present business 
in 1877. He married Mina Biggin, a native of Ger., in Sept., 
1878. 



. HISTORY OF IOWA. 459 

Dr. J. H. Sherman, dentist, was born in Ind.,in 1832. In 1862 
he recruited Co. A, 85th Ind. Inft., of which he was captain, and 
served until the close of the war. In 1865 he located at Chilli- 
cothe, Mo., and engaged in the practice of dentistry; removed to 
Storm Lake in 1878. He was the first dentist to locate perma- 
nently in this city. 

J. y. Skeels, blacksmith, was born in England in 1856; came to 
America in 1866, and located in Woodford county. 111.; removed 
to LaSalle county; thence to Storm Lake in 1880, and established 
his present business in May of the same year. lie married Libbie 
M. Evans, a native of 111., and has one child, Arthur E. 

C. H. Springer, boot and shoe maker, was born in Me. in 1833; 
removed to Buena Vista county, la., in 1873, and engaged in farm- 
ing, and in 1877 established his present business in Storm Lake. 
He still owns a farm of 240 acres in this vicinity; has been town- 
ship trustee and school director several years. He married Octavia 
A. Currier, a native of Me. They have three children, Frank E., 
C. Percy and Ernest E. 

T. S. Smith was born in N. Y. in 1814; removed to Ogle county, 
111., in 1847; moved to Buena Vista county, la., in 1869. He, 
with his sons, entered land, and then engaged in merchandising at 
the old town of Storm Lake; also engaged in the hotel business. 
He is the owner of the City Hotel property, which he built at the 
time he moved to this place; was a member of the city council 
during its first and second terms. He married Mary Caldwell, of 
N. Y. They have eight children, James S., Augustus, Mary C, 
Sarah, George B., Alfred J., Hattie D. and Libbie C. 

A. L. Stetson, of the firm of A. L. Stetson & Co., dealers in gen- 
eral merchandise, was born in Farmington, 111., in 1855; received 
his education at Boston and Lake Forest, and in 1878 came to 
Storm Lake, and engaged in the above business, which was estab- 
lished in March, 1879, and occupies a fine brick store building, of 
two stories and a basement. 

Geo. Stetson, of the firm of A. L. Stetson & Co., was born in N. 
Y. in 1829; removed to 111. in 1851, and engaged in merchandising 
and banking; came to Storm Lake in May, 1878, and is a member 
of the above firm; also operates 5,000 acres of land in this vicinity. 

J. R. Sovereign, manager of W. C. Hockett's Keystone Marble 
Works, was born in Cassville, Wis., in 1854; moved to Cresco, la., 
in 1871; thence to Eldora; thence to Muscatine, and in 1880 to 
Storm Lake. He married Addie C. Saucer, and has three children, 
Stella, Clark and Plummer. 

M. ToUe, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Columbus, 
0., in 1823. In 1850 he moved to California, and in the autum of 
1854 located in McLean county. 111., where he residel until 1872, 



460 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

when he came to Storm Lake, and engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness, which he has since changed to the above. He married Helen 
Westervelt, of lOhio. 

H. 0. Thomason. of the firm of Gilbert & Thomason, was born 
in LaSalle county, 111., in 1859; came to Storm Lake in 1879, and 
was in the employ of Geo. E. Ford & Bro., until he engaged in his 
present business with J. W. Gilbert. 

Vestal & Sutfin are the editors and proprietors of the Storm 
Lake Pilot, Avhich was establis'hed in 1870, is a seven-column folio, 
republican in politics, has a circulation of eight hundred copies, 
and has never missed an issue since it was established. Terms, 
$2.00 per annum. 

T. N Warren, of the firm of Warren & Mann, was born in De 
Witt, la., in 1850; moved to Storm Lake in 1881, and became a 
partner in the above firm, 

C. Wilcox, M. D., was born in N. Y. in 1838; removed to White- 
side county, 111., in 1855; thence to Jackson county, la., and after 
several changes of location, settled at Storm Lake in 1877. He 
was formerly connected in the ministry with the Baptist church; 
engaged in the practice of medicine in 1876. He married Amelia 
A.Ingham, of York, 111., and has three children, Lucy J., Lizzie 
E. and Charles E. 

George Witter, dealer in furniture and undertaking materials, 
occupies a two-story building twenty-one by seventy feet, and also 
owns the adjoining building, size 32x40 feet. He was born in Du- 
buque county, la., in 1851, and learned his trade at Dubuque and 
Galena, 111. In 1878 he came to Storm Lake, and engaged in busi- 
ness as above. In 1878 he married Kate Bauman, of Dubuc[ue 
county. They have lost, by death, one child, named Lora. 

A, H. Witt, of the firm of Witt & DeLand, was born in Clark 
county, la. He moved to Madison county, and in 1879 came to 
Storm Lake. In 1881 he became a member of the above firm. 

ALTA. 

C. M. Bean, manager of .the Alta lumber yard, was born in 
Penobscot county, Me.; moved to la. in 1871, and settled in 
Mitchell county. In 1880 he came to Alta, and engaged in busi- 
ness as above. He carries a large and complete stock of lumber 
and builders' supplies. 

D. Burke, of the firm of D. Burke & Co., millers, is a native of 
Mass.; moved to Dubuque, la., in 1836. He came to Alta in 1879, 
and established his present business. They have recently put in 
the patent rollers, and the mill has now a capacity of sixty barrels 
per day. 



J 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 461 

R. B. Danclo, M. D., and furniture dealer, is a native of N. Y.; 
moved to Dubuque county, la., in 1838; thence to Alta in 1873, 
and engaged in the practice of medicine. The Doctor is the owner 
of some vahiable patents. He engaged in the furniture business 
in 1881. 

G. Gerner, dealer in general hardware, is a native of Pa. ; came 
to Iowa in 1877, and engaged in farming near Alta. In 1880 he 
moved into the town, and engaged in business as above. 

L. J. Harvey, M. D., is a native of Ohio. He began the practice 
of medicine is 1866; moved to Iowa in 1870, and opened office in 
Storm Lake. He came to Alta in Feb., 1882, and is already en- 
joying a lucrative practice. 

Chester Hunt, dealer in sewing machines and musical merchan- 
dise, is a native of Pa.; moved to Story county, la., in 1861; thence 
to Buena Yista county in 1868. He built the first house in 
Nokomus township. In 1881 he came to Alta and engaged in 
business as above. 

Dr. W. Kamp, jeweler, was one of the first to locate at Alta. 
He began the practice of medicine, and has since engaged in the 
jewelry business, 

G. S. Kendall, proprietor of billiard hall, Avas born in 111.; moved 
to Hamilton county, la., in 1855. In 1857 he came to Alta, and 
engaged in his present business. 

R. J. Macdonald, of the firm of Macdonald & Prue, dealers in 
general merchandise, was born in Washington, D. C; moved to 
Ind. in 1815; thence to 111. in 1857; thence to Iowa. He soon 
after returned to Indiana, and was for several years employed by 
the Wood's Reaper Co., as traveling agent. In 1880 he came to 
Alta, and engaged in business as above. 

William M. Reeder, furniture dealer, is a native of Ohio; in 1855 
he settled in Johnson county, la., and engaged in contracting and 
building. In 1870 he moved to Storm Lake. His wife — ^now 
deceased — was the first white woman to locate there. He came to 
Alta in 1870, and engaged in business as above. 

T. 0. & C. J. Wiss, dealers in clothing, boots and shoes, also 
grain and stock, are natives of Sweden; came to America in 1869, 
and settled in Chicago, 111. They moved to Iowa in 1875, and en- 
gaged in the hardware business. In Aug., 1881, they engaged in 
business as above. 

NEWELL. 

H. 0. Austin, manager of J, H. James' harness shop at Newell. 
The firm carries a complete line of harness, saddles, whips, robes, 
blankets, etc. This is a branch of Mr, James' large establish- 
ment at Sac City, and was established in March, 1880, with Mr. 
Austin as manager. 



462 HISTOEY OF IOWA. 

Ball & Brooks, physicians and druggists, established drug business 
Jan. 1st, 1882. They occupy and own a brick building, two stories 
high, and carry a large stock of drugs, fancy and toilet articles, 
stationery, cigars, etc. They employ W. J. Kilingbeck, who is a 
registered pharmacist. Dr. J. H. Ball graduated from the Keokuk 
Medical College in 1880, and engaged in the practice of medicine at 
Newell. Dr. J. M. Brooks, also of Keokuk, commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine in March, 1881. His office is over the store. 

W. H. Borman, of the firm of Swezey & Borman, dealers in 
lumber, lime, paint, etc., was born in Franklin county, 0., in 1850. 
In 1869 he came with his parents to Sac county, la., and the fol- 
lowing year he pre-empted land in Buena Vista county, six miles 
north of Newell. In 1876 he entered the employ of L. T. Swezey, 
and in Jan., 1880, became a partner. Mr. B. conducts the above 
business, which is situated near the depot. He was elected mayor 
in 1881. Mr. Swezey is proprietor of an extensive hardware 
establishment. 

0. A. Cate, dealer in general merchandise, formerly of Sher- 
brook, Quebec, Canada, came to Newell and engaged in his present 
business in partnership with his brother, C. W. In Feb., 1882, he 
became sole proprietor. His store is in Harris & Parker's block, on 
Fulton street. He employs two salesmen. 

William Conle}^ of the firm of Conley & Watt, proprietors of 
the Newell livery, feed and sale barn, came to Newell in 1877 from 
Sac county, where he had been engaged in farming for ten years. 
He formed a partnership with L. S, Watt, and engaged in his pres- 
ent business. They occupy a barn on First street; have accommo- 
dations for sixty horses; keep for livery purposes eight teams and 
nine buggies and carriages. They are proprietors of the hack line 
between Newell and Sac City, and make daily trips, carrying the 
mails. Mr. C. was appointed city marshal in March, 1881. Mr. 
Watt came to Sac county in 1860 from Ohio. He was engaged in 
farming until Aug., 1881. 

C. Dillon, dealer in general hardware, came to Buena Vista coun- 
ty, la., in 1877, from Delaware county. He engaged in farming 
for four years; then moved to Newell, and purchased the business 
of L. T. Swezey. He owns the building he occupies on Fulton 
St.; carries a complete stock of hardware, tinware, stoves, etc., and 
employs one tinner. 

Ellis Bros., proprietors of restaurant, confectionery, billiard par- 
lor and barber shop; established business in Oct., 1881. They 
came to Newell in May, 1871, from Green county. Wis., and en- 
gaged in farming, alo contracting and building, previous to estab- 
lishing their present business. 

Hon. L. H. Gordon, dealer in lumber and coal, came to Newell,. 
la., from Dubuque where he had been engaged in manufacturing 
doors, sash and blinds. He was burned out in August, 1870, and 



II 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 463 

the same year came to this city, and engaged in business as above. 
He represented this district in the 17th general assembly, session 
of 1877 and 1878. He was the first mayor of Newell, and served 
two years. 

Harris & Tarker, bankers, brokers and dealers in real estate. 
The business was established in 1871, under the firm name of Con- 
dron & Harris. In 1873, S. A. Parker purchased Mr. Condron's 
interest, thus forming the present firm. They own and occupy a 
brick building, thoroughly fitted with fire proof vault, etc. They 
own valuable town property, and about 3,500 acres of real estate 
throughout the county. H. E. Harris came to Newell from N.H. 
in 1871. Mr. Parker moved from Quebec, Canada, to Newport, 
Vt., thence to this city. 

L. F. Holbrook, proprietor of the Northwestern flouring mills, 
of Newell, la., was formerly of Vt. He engaged in his present 
business in 1878, The mills were built by J. B. Thomas in 1871, 
and were purchased by L. H. Gordon & Co., who sold to the pres- 
ent owner. The mills have a forty-five horse power engine, and 
a capacity of fifty barrels per day. 

C. Everett Lee, proprietor of the Newell Mirror, which was es- 
tablished June 15th, 1875, by W. White, who sold it to B. C. 
Hull in Dec, 1878. It was afterwards purchased by J. N. Miller, 
editor of the Sac Sun, who sold it to the present owner in July, 
1881. The Mirror is the county official paper, republican in poli- 
tics, is an eight-column folio, and has a circulation of about five 
hundred. Mr. Lee was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., in 1846; 
moved to Sac county, la., in 1862. He served during the war of 
the rebellion in the 10th la. Vol. Inft. In 1876 he came to New- 
ell, Buena Vista county. 

Thomas Mankey, Avagon-maker and blacksmith, came to Newell 
from Mineral Pt., Wis., in Aug., 1879, and established business as 
above. He owns and occupies a building on Second st., and em- 
ploys two men. 

F. P. Mack, postmaster and dealer in stationery and news, came 
to Newell in 1870 from Alden, Hardin county. His wife is a 
milliner, and carries a large and well selected stock of goods; 
occupies same store-room with the postoffice. 

Norton & Welch, dealers in general merchandise and grain, are 
also proprietors of the Newell creamery. J.T. Norton and John 
R. Welch comprise the firm, which was established in 1878. Their 
mercantile business is in L^nion Block, and occupies a room twenty- 
four by one hundred feet, which is well filled with general mer- 
chandise, and necessitates the employment of three salesmen. The 
creamery was established in 1881, and has a capacity for making 
two thousand pounds of butter per day. 



164 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

H. M. & J. T. Redfield, of the firm of Redfield Bros., dealers in 
grain, live stock, agricultural implements and coal, came from 
Oswego, N. Y., to Newell in 1872, and the following year estab- 
lished their present business. They own two elevators, with a 
combined capacity of ten thousand bushels; office and warehouse, 
on First st. They handle all the leading manufacturers' goods. 

W. E. & G. H. Riddell, of the firm of Riddell Bros., dealers in 
general merchandise, established business in Aug., 1879, in the 
Swezey block, corner of Fulton and Second sts. They have abut- 
ter and egg packing department in the basement, and there em- 
ploy one man. W. E. Riddell was formerly engaged in business 
at Manchester; G. H. was formerly with Field, Leiter & Co., of 
Chicago. 

W. H. Stott. proprietor of the City meat market, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa. He moved to Fairfax, Va.; remained one year; 
then returned to Pa., where he resided until 1868, when he moved 
to Iowa and located. near Fonda, Calhoun county. In 1871 he 
came to Newell, and engaged in business as above; has also been 
engaged in the livery business here. He keeps a first-class mar- 
ket, and employs two men. Mr. S. has been marshal of Newell 
two years, and a member of the city council. During the war of 
the rebellion he served in the 110th Inft., and was twice wounded. 

William Wart, of the firm of W. Wart & Son, dealers in gen- 
eral meichandise, came to Buena Vista county, la., in 1869, from 
N. y. He purchased land, and has been actively engaged in farm- 
ing ever since. He owns 410 acres of land, four miles east of 
Newell, which is well improved and stocked. He has been a mem- 
ber of the board of supervisors for several years. The store is in 
Union block, on the corner of Fulton & Second sts. They carry a 
large and well selected stock of goods. The business is conducted 
by T. A. Wart, the junior member of the firm. 




HISTORY OF IOWA. -465 



CRAWFORD COUNTY. 



Tilt county of CraAvford is twenty-four miles north and south by 
thirty east and west. It contains twenty Congressional townships, 
or a superficial area of 720 square miles, and lies on the Western 
Slope, the second county east from the Missouri River, in the fifth 
tier from the northern and southern boundaries of the State. It is 
well watered by running streams, the largest of which is the Boyer 
River, which traverses the county diagonally from northeast to 
southwest, entering five miles west of the northeast corner, and 
passing out three miles east of the southeast corner. East Boyer 
River, its most important tributary, enters CraAvford from Carroll 
County, floAVS in a southwesterly direction, and unites Avith the 
main stream at Denison, a little southeast of the center of the 
count)\ Other important tributaries of the Boyer are Dunham's, 
Walnut, Ernst, Buss, AVelsh, Paradise, Bufi'alo, Otter, Boone, 
Coon and Buck Creeks. The Nishnabotany River and Williams 
Creek, with their several branches, water the southeastern portion 
of the county. Soldier River, which crosses the nortliAvestern cor- 
ner, receives a large number of tributaries, among which may be 
mentioned Beaver Creek. A branch called East Soldier also passes 
thro jgh the northAvestern part of the county, with a by no means 
inconsiderable tributary called Spillman Creek. WilloAv Rivei* 
waters a considerable portion of one township in the soutliAvestern 
part of the county. All of the above streams are small, with the 
exception of tiie Boyer River, but all aftbrd an abundance of wa- 
ter for stock throughout every season of the year. In a number of 
places fine springs are found, and good aa'cII water is obtained at 
moderate depths. The Avater of the running streams is excellent 
for drinking and domestic uses, and is usually clear and cold. 

The finest groves of timber are on the Boyer and East Boyer 
Rivers, a number of groves being scattered along some of the 
smaller streams, however. The largest body of timber in the 
county is Mason's Grove, beginning about five miles northeast of 
Denison. This grove includes about 2,000 acres along the east 
side of the Boyer River. Dunham's Grove, on the East Boyer. 
six miles east of Denison, contains about 300 acres of timber, 
among which is a quantity of black walnut. In other parts of the 
county are groves of good timber, principally on or near the Boyer 
River. The timber lands of the county aggregate about sixteen 
sections, or 10,240 acres — about one acre of timber to each forty- 
five feet of prairie. The following varieties are included: Black 
oak. burr oak, black Avalnut, black and Avhite hickory, linn, hack- 



466 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

berry, soft maple, ash, elm, cottonwood, cherry, etc. The shrub- 
beries are principally ash, sumac, hazel, pith-alder, etc., which gen- 
erally grow in the valleys, or about the edges of the timber. There 
is an abundance of walnuts, hickorynuts and hazelnuts. Wild 
fruits groAv in abundance; there are plums, grapes, raspberries, 
strawberries, gooseberries, cherries, crab apples, wild currants, and 
occasionally blackberries. In consequence of the scarcity of native 
timber, many of the farmers have planted groves of silverleaf ma- 
ple, cottonwood, black walnut and box elder, all of which have 
grown with astonishing rapidity; so much so that the former bound- 
less expanse of prairie has within a few years become dotted with 
beautiful groves, which ere long will re-arrange the nature of the 
country, as they have already diversified and improved, the land- 
scape, affording, moreover, as great additions to the principle of 
utility as they have already made in the direction of ornamentation. 

The surface configuration of the county is rolling, the divides 
separating the streams being bulky masses of earth which sweep 
down into the valleys over beautiful declivities from the undulating 
plains above. Near the headwaters of the streams the surface is 
more rolling and broken than on the main divides, in a few places 
being too uneven and precipitous for successful cultivation. The 
soil is almost uniformly composed of the light colored, fine, 
silicious material of the bluff deposit peculiar to the Missouri 
Slope, is of great fertility, and is in places largely mixed with 
sand. The Boyer Valley is probably unsurpassed in Iowa, is capable 
of a cultivation which is being rapidly brought about, and which 
when brought to the condition assured in the near future, will 
present one of the most attractive farming portions of the State. 
Compared with the size of the stream, the valley is wide, and has 
a deep, rich soil, well adapted to the production of the finest crops 
of corn, wheat, oats and other kinds of grain. Extending, as it 
does, some thirty miles through the county, it embraces a large 
area of land of unsurpassed fertility. It must not, however, be 
understood that the upland pi-airies are sterile, as the greater por- 
tion of them is but little inferior to the bottom lands. The best 
upland prairies are in the east, north and northwest portions. In 
the smaller valleys and ravines extensive accumulations of black 
soil or vegetable mould are often found, which probably came from 
the washing of the ravines from the adjacent slopes, which bear 
evidence of having been thus denuded of their coating of dark 
humus. The enthusiastic lover of nature can scarcely picture a 
■more pleasing landscape than that afforded by the valleys of the 
Boyer Rivers, viewed from the upland ridges at almost anj^ point 
along their courses, overlooking miles of their park-like valleys, 
embellished with clumps of trees, well improved farms, orchards, 
rural homes, and tasty villages. 

Stone suitable for building purposes is not abundant, the only 
(juarry worked in the county being situated about four miles 



I 



HISTORY OF lOAVA. 467 

southwest of Denison on a branch of Buck Creek. It is a 
species of limestone that answers for ordinary purposes. There 
are indications of the same formation in Spring Grove, Burnt 
Woods, and at other points in the county. Clay and sand suitable 
for the manufacture of brick, are sufficiently plenty, and a num- 
ber of handsome brick structures have been erected in Denison 
and other localities. No veins of coal have been found as yet in 
this county, and it is probable that, if the productive or lower 
formation of the coal measure underlies the area embraced in Craw- 
ford County, it is at so great a depth beneath the surface as to 
render its development for the present impracticable . 

Th« soil and climate are well adapted to the production of 
wheat, oats, rye, barley, corn, beans, peas, potatoes and other vege- 
tables and grains indigenous to the Temperate Zone. The yield of 
spring wheat, which is the variety principally raised, has been 
from fifteen to forty-five bushels to the acre, with a probable 
average of about twenty-five busnels. Comparatively few farmers 
have engaged in the cultivation of tame grasses, but it has been 
fully demonstrated that timothy and blue grass will succeed well, 
while clover also does reasonably well, so far as it has been tried. 
There is a number of orchards in the county, which have been 
yielding for a number of years, and which give promise of assured 
success in the future. Much attention is being paid to fruit cul- 
ture, Avhich is destined to become one of the important industries 
of this section. Cherries, vines and all small fruit do well, grow- 
ing luxuriantly and producing excellent varieties of fruit. 

The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad enters Crawford County 
a little north of the center of the eastern boundary line, and run- 
ning southwest down the valley of the Boyer, a distance of over 
thirty-one miles, makes its exit near the southwest corner, aflford- 
ing good communication with the eastern and western markets. 

In May, 1849, Cornelius Dunham, of Jackson county, Iowa, 
brought Franklin Prentice and his wife to the county, and left 
them at the place known as Dunham's Grove, on East Boyer River, 
about six miles east of the present town of Denison, Mr. Prentice 
built a cabin for Dunham, who came with his family in the autumn 
of the same year, accompanied also by a man named Reuben Blake. 
This was the first settlement in Crawford County. The same year, 
Prentice took a claim at the mouth of Otter Creek, on Boyer River, 
near Mason's Grove. The next settlers Avere Jesse Mason and 
family, and George J. and Noah V. Johnson, all of whom came 
in June, 1850, and settled at Mason's Grove. In the autumn of 
this year, Levi Skinner and Calvin Horr settled at the same place. 
The next settler was Thomas Dobson, in the spring of 1851, who 
also settled in the vicinity of Mason's Grove, In the autumn of 
1853, Edward Howorth. with his sons, Edward and Daniel, located 
at a place called Three Bee Tree Grove, in the southwest part of the 
county, not far from the present thriving town of Dunlap. In 



468 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

1854, the settlement at Mason's Grove received the foUowinpf addi- 
tionnl members : Benjamin Dobson, A. R. Hunt, D. J. Fowler, 
Clark Winans, B. F. Wicks and E. W. Fowler. 

During the same year Benjamin Dobson erected the first saw 
mill at this place, and the following persons located in other parts 
of the county: John Grilbreath, John R. Bassett, and Moses and 
Daniel Riddle, at Coon Grove, four miles south of the present town 
of Denison; Mathias Didra, at Buck Grove, in the southern part of 
the county: Charles Kennedy and Robert D. Butterworth, at 
Three Bee Tree Grove, and William H. Jordan, at Lost Grove, 
near the present town of Crawford, on the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad. John A. Dunham and Rufus Richardson came 
the same year. Those mentioned were all the settlers in the 
county up to 1S55, during the spring of which year the following 
came: Reuben and John Vore, S. C. Dow, S. J. Comfort, Cyrus 
B. Whitmore, John Poordy, Isaac B. Goodrich, S. B. Greek, S. S. 
Sisley, John Sisley, Edward Van Vleet, James Slater and H. C. 
Laub. The last named settled at Mason's Grove, and the others in 
various places in the county. In 1856, there were but few addi- 
tions to the settlers, the following, with their families, it is believed, 
comprising all: George C. King, William J. Todd, John B. 
Huckstep, Edwin Cad well, Tracy Chapman, Morris McHenry, Esau 
McKim, and Joseph Brodgen, all of whom located at Mason's 
Grove; and R. B. Alexander, S. Bell, B. B. Bishop and W^illiam 
Wilkie, who settled in the southern and southwestern parts of the 
county. Hon. J. W. Denison came to the county in the autumn 
of 1855, and during that year and the next, selected a quantity of 
land for the Providence Western Land Company, and in Septem- 
ber, 1856, commenced the settlement of the town of Denison. He 
brought with him Francis Reynolds and John B. Swain, who 
erected a steam saw and grist mill in the new town. 

The first births in the county were David and George Jesse 
Mason, twin sons of Jesse and Eliza Ann Mason, born in 1852. 
The first marriage ceremonies took place at Mason's Grove, Octo- 
ber 12th, 1853, at which time and place Rev. Thomas Dobson 
united in marriage George J. Johnson and Elizabeth Ann Mason, 
Noah V. Johnson and Jane Mason, Calvin Horr and Elizabeth 
Mowery. The first death was that of John A. Dunham, in the 
winter of 1854-5. The first entry of Government land was made 
August 21st, 1854, by John Gil breath. The first school house 
erected was at Mason's Grove, in the autumn of 1856, in which 
Morris McHenry taught the first school, a term of three and one 
half months, commencing November 4th, 1856. The first sermon 
was preached Sunday, October lUth, 1856, by Rev. William Black, 
of theM. E. Church, and the same day, after the sermon, the first 
religious society was organized, with seven members, as follows: 
George C. King, Mrs. E. R. King, 0. S. Wright, Tabitha Wright, 
John B. Huckstep, Martha A. Huckstep, and Rufus Richardson. 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 469 

The first Sunday School was organized at Mason's Grove, nnderthe 
auspices of the M. E. Church, with twenty pupils, on the 7th day of 
January, 1857, George C. King being the Superintendent. The 
first lawyer was S. J. Comfort, who was also the first acting 
Prosecuting Attorney. Dr. David Mc Williams was the first 
physician. 

tip to April, 1855, Crawford County was attached to Shelby for 
civil purposes. At the April election of that year the following 
county officers were elected: E. W. Fowler, County Judge; 
Thomas Dobson, Clerk; A. R. Hunt, Treasurer and Recorder; D. 
J. Fowler, Sheriff; Isaac B. Goodrich, School Fund Commissioner; 
Cyrus Whitmore, Prosecuting Attorney; Samuel Kennedy, Sur- 
veyor; L. S. Kinuer, Coroner; John R. Bassett, Drainage Com- 
missioner. At this time there was but one election precinct in the 
county, all the vctes being cast at Coon Grove, in what is now 
Denison Township. New county officers were chosen at the fol- 
lowing August election, at which time John R. Bassett was elected 
County Judge. Judge Bassett transacted his first official business 
September 3rd, 1855, on which date he acted upon a petition for a 
county road, refusing to grant the petition for reasons set forth in 
the records as follows: 

''I set the road petition aside on these grounds: In the first 
place, I cannot find out that there were notices as the law pre- 
scribes in three public places in the county. Secondly, the notices 
not agreeing with the petition. Thirdly, and the greatest objec- 
tion^ is that there was no one offered to enter bonds for the secur- 
ity of the payment of the Commissioner, providing the road was 
not finally located. For these objections I hereby set the road 
aside and pronounce not in accordance with law." 

On the 3d of December of this year, the Judge, Clerk and Re- 
corder met and reported their accounts of moneys received from 
August 1st to December 1st, the Judge having received ^5.75; 
Clerk, 13.00; Recorder, 18.70. Total, 117.45. They made an equal 
division of the amount and appropriated it toward the payment of 
their salaries. William L. Henderson, having been appointed sur- 
veyor and agent to select the swamp lands, made his report Decem- 
ber 5th, 1855, and was allowed |150 for his services. 

The first estate administered upon was that of Cyrus B. Whit- 
more, John Vore being appointed administrator. The location of 
county roads constituted a large proportion of the business of the 
County Judge. Judge Bassett continued to serve in this capacity 
up to the organization of the Supervisor system. 

The following persons constituted the first Board of Supervisors: 
Thomas Dobson, Milford Township; Henry C. Laub, Denison 
Township; Daniel Howorth, Union Township. Daniel HoAvorth 
was President, and S. J. Comfort, Clerk of the Board. 

The Court House at Denison was completed in the autumn of 
1858. It is built of brick, 30x40 feet, and two stories high. The 



470 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

various county offices are in the lower story, and the upper story 
is used as a court-room and for various public meetings. The 30st 
of the building was about $6,000. It is located in the center of 
the public square, a beautiful rolling track of ground, which is en- 
closed by a neat fence and planted with finely growing trees. 
Good bridges have been erected on all the principal roads over the 
streams. 

About five miles below Denison, in the Boyer Valley, there is a 
semi-circular group of ancient artificial mounds. There are about 
nine of them, situated on a plateau or table rising above the lower 
bottom. They are about five feet above the general level of the 
ground. Another similar group is located on the second bottom 
at the mouth of Paradise Creek. Human remains have been found 
in some of them, showing that they were burial places. 

Crawford County's present population is fully 15,000. There 
are 458,333 acres of land in this count v, the valuation of which, 
for 1879, was $2,747,198; for 1880, $3,752,648; value of lots, $220,- 
590; of personal property, $458,214; of railroad property, $326,- 
646. The property valuation for the present year is not as yet 
obtainable, but there are certain indications of a most highly grati- 
fying increase. There are thirty and one-half miles of railroad in 
the county, and two hundred miles of telegraph wire. 

The present county oflicers of Crawford County are: A. D. Molo- 
ney, Auditor; G. W. Heston, Clerk of Courts; L. M. Cornwell, Treas- 
urer; M. Smith, Recorder; J. D. Jones, Sheriff; E. M. Ainsworth, 
Superintendent of Schools; M. McHenry, Surveyor; A. McMartin, 
Chairman Board of Supervisors. 

Crawford County's population in 1880 was 12,413; the total vote 
of the county for Governor at the election of 1881, was 2,136. 

DENISON. 

The county seat of Crawford County is situated a little south of 
the center of the county, at the junction of the Boyer and East 
Boyer Rivers. A portion of the town, rising upon the slopes ad- 
jacent to these streams, commands magnificent views of the valley 
of the Boyer, with its rapidly improving farms, the railroads, lines 
of telegraph, groves of timber, and other objects, adding variety 
and beauty to the scene. The railroad passes along the southern 
edge of the town, where it makes a bend directly southwest, leav- 
ing Denison well situated as a trading point for a large district of 
country unsurpassed in fertility. Its agricultural resources, when 
developed, cannot fail to make Denison a point of great impor- 
tance. It is one hundred and fifteen miles from Des Moines, 
eighty from Fort Dodge, seventy-five from Council Bluffs, seventy- 
five from Sioux City, and forty-five from the Missouri River. 

As stated in the general history of the county, the town was 
laid out in 1856, by J. W. Denison, from whom it derived its 
name, and at that time became the county seat. The town plat 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 471 

embraces about 700 acres, the general size of the lots being 50x150 
feet, the principal streets being one hundred feet wide and the 
others eighty. Handsome and eligible blocks have been reserved 
for public parks and other public purposes. Quite a number of 
elegant residences and business blocks have been erected, which 
would reflect credit upon any city in Iowa. 

Among the first settlers were Francis Reynolds and John B. 
Swain, who put up the first saw and grist mill in the place; R. W. 
Calkins, 0. S. Gates, F. W. Vuescher, Jacob Whitinger, Morris 
McHenry, J. F. Seagrave and Eli Baer. Mary Louise Seagrave, 
born November 13th, 1856, was the first birth in the town, while 
the first death was that of a child of Francis Reynolds. 

There is no reason to doubt that the population of Denison at 
the present time is fully, if not more than, two thousand. The 
town was incorporated in 1875, Its first town officers, after in- 
corporation, were: A. F, Bond, Mayor; A. Carpenter, Recorder; 
J. L. McClellan, Marshal; L. Cornwell, Treasurer; C. H. DeWolf, 
C. F. Cassaday, John Seemann, Ward Matthews, W. J. Wagoner, 
Councilmen. The following are the present officers: R, Heifel- 
finger. Mayor; D, L. Boynton, Recorder; L. Cornwell, Treasurer; 
William Braddy, Marshal; C. Green, W. J. Wagoner, L. F. 
Carr, J. B. Romans, P. Miller, G. W. Heston, Councilmen; George 
A. Smith, Assessor. 

Denison has two banks, the McHenry Bank, of which William 
A. McHenry is proprietor, and the Crawford County Bank, R. 
Heffelfinger, proprietor — both of which do a prosperous business. 

The Germania Opera House, owned by the Germania Society, is 
a roomy and well built structure with a foundation of heavy ma- 
sonry, cost from seven to eight thousand dollars, and is in every 
way creditable to the community. 

The brickyard belonging to Cornelius Green manufactures on an 
average a half-miMion bricks per annum. 

There are seven flouring mills in Crawford County, one at Dow 
City, one two miles southwest of Denison, one at Denison, one at 
Vail, one at West Side and two at Deloit, 

The Luney Bros, some time since inaugurated a series of enter- 
prises, which reflect great credit, both upon themselves and the 
community. Their steam flouring mill was started in 1880, and 
has a capacity of about 1,000 bushels of wheat per week. This 
mill has three run of stone, and manufactures an excellent quality 
of flour. They have also in operation an extensive agricultural 
implement factory and foundry, from which they turn out plows, 
bells, shafting for mills, and, in fact, anything and everything in 
the line of first-class establishments of this kind, 

Denison is in every respect, mechanically, professionally and in 
a business way, as well in the attractive as in the substantial 'ele- 
ments of a progressive community, worthy to be the county seat 
of the rich and fertile county of Crawford, 



472 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The business establishmeuts of Denison may be classified as 
follows: Six general merchandise establishments, three groceries, 
two furniture and cabinet making establishments, one boot and 
shoe store, two harness shops, one hardware store, two blacksmith 
shops, one wagon factory, one wagon and blacksmith shop, two 
hardware and agricultural implement stores, one agricultural im- 
plement depot, two restaurants, five hotels, four insurance agencies, 
one flouring mill, one brick-yard, one manufactory of agricul- 
tural implements, one foundry and machine shop, three millinery 
stores, one music store, two banks, four real estate agencies, three 
drug stores, two printing ofiices, one book store, one clothing 
store, two meat markets, one bakery, four stock and grain dealers, 
three lumber dealers, one creamery, two grain elevators, etc. 

The Crawford County Bulletin was started in November, 1873, 
by Stephens & Daniells. A. B. Keith purchased Daniells' inter- 
est in April, 1874, and in June, 1876, became sole proprietor. The 
Bulletin is a nine-column folio, and has a circulation of 1,200 
copies. It is the Democratic organ of Crawford county, and is ably 
conducted. 

The first newspaper published in Crawford County was estab- 
lished October 1st, 1860, by J. W. Denison, and was named the 
Boyer ^^(^lley liecord. It was a twenty-eight column sheet. Re- 
publican in politics, and continued about a year and a half. The 
next paper was the Denison Beeieic, the first number of which 
appeared May 3d, 1867, under the management of Money & 
Stephens. In the autumn of 1868, Money disposed of his inter- 
est to R. W. McNeal. In 1874, the paper came into the posses- 
sion of Hon. J. Fred. Meyers, who conducted it until the latter 
part of February of the present year. Under Mr. Myers' able 
management, the paper achieved an extensive reputation. His 
successors, the Messrs. W rigley Bros., are gentlemen of capacity, 
and have already evinced an ability to fully maintain the Beriew s 
excellent reputation. Mr. Meyers has been Postmaster of Deni- 
son for a number of years, was formerly a resident of Washington, 
D. C, has an extensive acquaintance, and has occupied many posi- 
tions of honor and trust. The Bevieic is Republican in politics, 
and issues both English and German editions. It is a model of 
typographical neatness. 

CnrRCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

First Baptist CJinrch . — Organized in 1858, by Rev. J. W. 
Denison. The successive pastors were: Revs. George Scott, R. 
Dunlap, A. M. Duboc, J. B. Hawk, A. Robinson, the latter gentle- 
man having present pastoral charge. The present membership -is 
120. The church building was erected in 1865, has a seating 
capacity of about 200, and cost, with the grounds, $7,000. It is 
located on the corner of Sweet and Chestnut streets. The pres- 
ent church ofiicers are: J. D. Seagrave, S. W. Plimpton, Dea- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 473 

cons; E. S. Plimpton, Clerk; Mrs. S. W. Plimpton, Treasurer; W. 
A. McHenry, J. R. Bassett, E. S. Plimpton, Trustees. The Sab- 
bath School has an average attendance of about one hundred 
pupils. Its officers are E, S. Plimpton, J. D. Seagrave, Associate 
Superintendents; M. E. Jones, Treasurer; Nellie Strong, Sec- 
retary. 

Methodist Episcopal ChurcJi. — The present pastor is Rev. D. 
Austin. This society has over one hundred members. Its pres- 
ent officers ai'e: L.M.Shaw, C. Green, R. Heffelfinger, J. B. 
Romans, Trustees; H. C. Laub, Recording Steward; L. M. Shaw, 
Treasurer. The Sabbath School numbers about one hundred 
pupils; L. M. Shaw is the Superintendent. The church build- 
ing was erected about the year 1865, at a cost of 81,800; its seat- 
ing capacity is 350. Rev. William Black, the first pastor, was 
succeeded by the following: Revs. Mr. Glassner, Edwin Satterlee, 
M. D. Collins, W. E. Smith, Mr. Glauville, B. Shinn, Mr. Way- 
nick, Mr. Fegtly, E. Sage, Asa Steeth, J. B. Wilson, Mr. Beck, 
and the present pastor. 

Trinitij Episcopal Parish. — Organized in 1875, by Rev. William 
Wright. Rev. C. S. Fackenthall is the present pastor. The mem- 
bership is about thirty-five. The church building was erected in 
1875, is 28x40 feet in dimensions, the total cost being not less 
than 83,000. Roger Hayne was the first Senior Warden, and 
Henry Gower, the first Junior Warden. At present J. G. Wyaut 
is Senior Warden, William Rain, Junior Warden. The Society is 
free from debt. In July, 1877, the church builling was blown 
from its foundations by a tornado, two other church buildings 
also being moved from their foundations on the same night, one 
of them, the Catholic church building, being occupied by the con- 
gregation, who were holding services at the time. Trinity Church 
is located in East Denison, on the south side of Broadway. The 
Sabbath School has about fifty members. J. P. Fitch is the Su- 
perintendent; Miss Gracie Myers, Secretary; Miss Blanche Stone, 
Treasurer. 

TJie Catholic Church Society. — This Parish was organized by 
missionaries more than twenty years ago. The first pastor was 
Rev. Mr. Kelley, of Omaha. The church building was erected in 
1872. It is a frame structure and cost 81,700. The congregation 
have made arrangements for the building of a fine brick structure 
during the coming season, the money for which has been already 
secured. The estimated cost is 84,000. Rev. M. C. Lenahan, of 
Vail, is the present pastor. Services are, for the present, held every 
alternate Sunday. 

The German Lutheran Society. — Rev. G. Haar is the present 
pastor of this prosperous church organization. As stated else- 
where, the church edifice is a brick building formerly used as a 
school house. It is very neatly and comfortably furnished. The 
organization of the society dates back from eight to ten years. 

31 



4:14: HISTORY OF IOWA, 

The Prcshyferian Society, — The present pastor of this society is 
the Rev. J. J. Franklin. The church edifice was erected in 1872, at 
a cost of $1,775. Although the membership is not so large as that 
of the Baptist or M. E. organizations, yet the society is in a sub- 
stantial and encouraging condition. 

TJie Piihlic Scltools. — Prior to the organization of the Denison 
independent school district, Tracy Chapman, Michael Riddle and 
A. D. Moloney, composed the Board of School Directors of a sec- 
tion of country embracing the entire county, with the exception 
of Union and Milford Townships. The first teacher of whom 
the writer has information was H. C. Laub, who was followed by 
I. T. Martin, John Funk and Miss Jennie Haskell. The first 
school house was a frame building, about 11x20 feet in dimensions, 
situated on the hill in East Denison. This building has long since 
ceased to be used for school purposes, and has been moved so many 
times as to make further trace of its whereabouts indefinite. A 
brick school house was next built, which is now used as a church 
building by the German Lutheran Society. The independent 
school district was organized about ten years since. The first 
Board of Education was composed of the following gentlemen: 
Dr. William Iseminger, Morris McHenry, E. S. Plimpton, W. J. 
Wagoner, and two others, whose names the writer was unable to 
learn. A. M. McNeal, an attorney now living in St. Louis, was 
the first teacher after the independent organization. He was fol- 
lowed by Rev. Mr. Gunnison, a Baptist minister, who was suc- 
ceeded by a Methodist clergyman, whose name the writer was un- 
able to learn. Z. T. Hawk was the first regular Principal of the 
Denison schools. He had three assistants. Under his manage- 
ment, the Denison schools first took definite form, were graded, 
and began the systematic and thorough development of which the 
citizens of the town are justly proud. There are now two school 
buildings. The first, a large brick structure of four departments 
and two stories in height, was erected in 1872, at a cost of $16,000, 
which figure, however, it is proper to add, is conceded to be altogeth- 
er disproportionately large in comparison with the real value of the 
building. It is located in the western part of town, southwest 
of the Court House, and is known as the West Side building. The 
second school building was erected in 1877. It is a two-story 
frame, having two large rooms, is about 28x48 feet in dimensions, 
and cost in the neighborhood of $2,500. It is located near the 
center of town, and is known as the East School building. The 
total enrollment of the district, at the last enumeration, was 369 
pupils; the average attendance is about 300. It is more than prob- 
able that another school building will be added during the present 
year. The present corps of teachers is as follows: Prof. M. Booth, 
Principal; Miss Nettie M. Dick, Grammar School, West; Miss 
Lillie Barr, First Primary, West; Miss Hattie McAhren, Second 
Primary, West; Miss Kittie Barr, First Primary, East; Mrs. Mary 



HISTOKY OF lUAVA. 475 

Wade, Second Primary, East. The present Board of Education is 
as follows: C. Green, President; W. J. Wagoner, E. S. Plimpton, 
William Iseminger, Albert Palmer, John Seemann; C. F. Bond, 
Secretary; R. Heffelfinger, Treasurer. 

Devotion Lodge Xo. 282, A. F. ct- A. J/.— Instituted in 1869. 
Ptev. B. Shinn was the first W. M.; C. H. DeWolf, the first S. 
W.; H. C. Laub, the first Secretary, and L. Cornwell, the first 
Treasurer. There were nine charter members. The present mem- 
bership is fift3^-five. Meetings are held Wednesday evenings of 
each month, on or before the full moon. For the present the Lodge 
meets in Masonic Hall, over H. C. Laub's place of business. A 
fine Lodge room is being fitted up in the McHenry block. This 
Lodge is in a condition of very gratifying prosperity. The follow- 
ing are the present officers: C. H. DeWolf, W. M.; G. W. 
Stephens, S. VV.; M. Goldheim, J. W.; G. W. Heston, Secretary; 
W. J. Wagoner, Treasurer. 

Denison Lodge Xo. 94, I. 0. G. T. — Instituted in 1876. 
Meetings are held every Tuesday evening m Court House Hall. 
The membership is twenty-five. The present officers are: D. 0. 
Johnson, W. C. T.; Mrs. H. J. Matthews, W. V. T.; Miss Hattie 
Harris, R. S.; Miss Hattie McAhren,L. S.; Mrs. E. S. Plimpton, 
Treasurer; Rev. A. Robinson, Chaplain. 

Crawford Lodge, loica Legion of Honor. — Instituted in 1880. 
First officers: H. N. Wheeler, President; A. D. Wilson. Vice- 
President; N.J.Wheeler, F. S.;N. F. Smith, R. S.; N. Richards, 
Treasurer. Present officers: A. B. Keith, President; James 
Wygant, Vice-President; N. J. Wheeler, F. S.; M. E. Jones, R. 
S.; A. D. Wilson, Treasurer. The membership is fifty-two. Meet- 
ings are held on the first and third Thursday evenings of each 
month in Masonic Hall. 

Boot Post Xo. 58, G. A. B. — -This Post was mustered in the 
autumn of 1881, with eighteen charter members, as follows: E. 
D. Partridge, Geo. W. Heston, W. A. Porter, A. J. Bond, R. L. 
Wilkinson, A. I. Phelps, S. W. Plimpton, Jr., R. W. Lownes, A. 
Simmons, Edward Miles, M. Smith, J. S. Gilbreath. W. H. 
Snow, B. W. Garlough, G. L. Wright, C. A. Lawton, H. S. Gulick, 
J. G. Vassar. The membership is thirty, and meetings are held 
on the second Friday evening of each month in Court House Hall. 
The following are the' officers: Geo. W. Heston, Commander; G. 
L. Wright, S. V. C; Jud. Bond, J. V. C; I. T. Phelps, A.; S. W. 
Plimpton, C.;H. S. Gulick, Q. M.; E. D. Partridge, S.; R. W. 
Lownes, 0. of D.; Benj. Garlough, S. M. 

Denison Lodge Xo. LJl, A. 0. U. W. — Present officers: I. T. 
Roberts, M. W.; Johif Bayles, Foreman; S. W. Plimpton, 0.; A. 
T. Weld, Recorder; D. H. Gill, Receiver; A. Anderson, Financier; 
D. 0. Johnson, P. The Lodge has a membership of forty- 
four, and meets the *:rst and tliird Friday evenings of each month 
in Masonic Hall. 



476 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Eiirela Collegium No. 17, V. A. S. Frate7nif)/.— lnsiiiuied in 
the autumn of 1881^ with thirt3'-six charter member?. First 
officers: William Familton. Kector: J. S. Nicholson, V. R.; G. 
A. Smith, S.; G. W. Heston. Q.; G. L. Wright. U.; L. J. Carter, 
Spec: Dr. AV. W. Holmes, M. E. ^ Present officers: J. S. Nichol- 
son, R. ; Albert Palmer. Y. R. The remaining officers the same 
as before. Meetings are for the present held at J. S. Nicholson's 
office, on the first Monday evening of each month. 

W. C. T. U. — The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of 
Denison is in excellent working condition, and has done effective 
work for the cause of Temperance. Mrs. H. C. Laub is the Presi- 
dent. 

Denison Lecture Bureau. — This is an association whose object is 
to furnish the citizens of Denison intellectual entertainment by 
utilizing ''home talent." Weekly lectures are given, which are 
largely attended, and which have been productive of highly bene- 
ficial results. 

The Public Library. — Denison has a public library of quite re- 
spectable proportions. The library is temporarily located in the 
rear of A. Steel's furniture store. Mr. Steel is. the Librarian. 

Denison Cornet Band. — ThQ Denison Cornet Band is composed 
of twelve members, and is quite a creditable organization . W^. 
J. W^heeler, Presiceit; M. E. Jones, Secretary; F. W^ahl, Treas- 
urer; William Adams, Leader. 

VAIL. 

The pro.?perous and progressive community of Vail is located 
about six miles west of the eastern line of the county, and was 
laid out in the summer of 1871. The town-site is owned by the 
Blair Town Lot and Land Company, and by other parties, who 
have made additions thereto. The surrounding country, for a dis- 
tance of twenty miles north and south, tributary to Vail, is of a 
most excellent quality. 

Vail was incorporated in the spring of 1875. The first Mayor 
was Josiah McHenry, who was succeeded by the following in or- 
der: W. W. Anderton, Josiah McHenry, A. D. Young, F. B. 
Huckstep, the latter of whom is the present incumbent. 

The following are the present town officers: F. B. Huckstep, 
Mayor; J. S. Nesbit, Recorder; E. Ryan, Treasurer; M. McGrath, 
Marshal; Thomas Ryan. Street Commissioner; J. P. Fitch, A. L. 
Strong, J. H. Barrett, E. Darling, E. B. Bannister, John Cousins, 
Couneilmen. 

Dr. James DeWolf, the present postmaster, and who came to 
Vail in the autumn of 1870, was the first bona fide settler of the 
town. He erected a store-building and Avarehouse where the post- 
office now stands. He also '' broke " some land, and in return for 
a car-load of wheat raised thereon, obtained the first stock of goods 
that were placed on sale in the town. John Liddle started a 



i 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 477 

blacksmith shop in Vail in 1871. During the winter of 1870-71, 
there was nobody on the present town-site of Vail, save Mr. De 
Wolf, his son John, and the trackhands employed upon the rail- 
road. 

The depot building Avas erected in the summer of 1871, but no 
agent was located therein until September, 1872. George Head 
Avas the first depot agent. In the summer of 1872, the following 
engaged iu business at Vail: J. F. Powers, furniture; L. P. Mooney, 
general merchandise; E. B. Bannister, hardware; Mrs. E. B. Ban- 
nister, millinery. 

, The next year Greenough & Bullock, of Denison, established a 
branch drug store at Vail. Josiah McHenry built the first hotel 
in the autumn of 1872. Since 1873, there has been a steady and 
constant growth, until at the present time it is safe to estimate the 
population of the town at from seven to eight hundred. 

A classified summary of the business establishments is as fol- 
lows: General stores, four; grocery, one; hotels, two; livery, 
three; blacksmith shops, four; wagon shops, two; drug stores, 
three; shoe shops, three; paint shop, one; printing office, one; 
hardware, three; agricultural implement depots, three; grain eleva- 
tors, three; flouring mill, one; lumber yards, two; butter a'ld egg 
depot, one; restaurants, two; jewelry, one; banks, two; barber 
shop, one; insurance agencies, two; real estate and loan, three; 
lawyers, three; physicians, three; meat markets, two; stock dealers, 
two; machine shop, one; grain dealers, four; furniture, two; har- 
ness shops, two; brickyard, one; brewery, one; saloons, four; milli- 
nery stores, two; coal dealers, four. 

G. A. W. Davison started the Crawfonl Connfij Observer in 
May, 1878, and after conducting it about a year and a half, sold 
to J. Otto Engstrom. The paper was started as a six-column folio 
and was all printed at the home office; subsequently it was changed 
to an eight-column folio and published on the co-operative plan. 
In the spring of 1880, Engstrom sold the paper to Gregg & 
Roberts, the latter of whom became sole proprietor in the autumn 
of the same year, and continued to conduct it until his death, in 
the spring of 1881, Avhen his father, J. H. Roberts, Sr., ran it for 
a short time, and then disposed of it toH. C.Ford. Mr. Davison re- 
purchased the paper October 1st, 1881, and is the present editor and 
proprietor. The Observer is now a five-column quarto, is inde- 
pendent in politics, has a circulation of 500, and is one of Western 
Iowa's neatest and newsiest weekly publications. 

John Short, of Boone County, started the Vail Flouring Mills 
in 1S75. He was assisted by liberal subscriptions from the citi- 
zens in the establishment of the enterprise. The building is of 
three stories in addition to the basement, has four run of stone, 
and a steel buhr for grinding feed. It also has a grain sheller and 
elevator in connection. There are, besides, two more steam ele- 
vators in Vail, one owned by Benson & Wagner, of Chicago, the 



478 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

other by J. P. Fitch. The flourinof mill is filled with the very best 
and latest improved machinery, and turns out a grade of tiour of 
unusual excellence. 

The Citizens' Bank is located in the postoffice building, and is 
conducted by J. H. DeWolf. The Traders' Bank, on the corner 
of Warren and Passaic streets, is owned by Messrs. Maynard & 
Price. Both banks are doing an extensive and prosperous business. 

The postotfice at Vail was established in May, 1871; the first 
Postmaster was Martin Hale Smith, in whose name the office was 
conducted a year or more, Avhen he was succeeded by Dr. James 
DeWolf, who has continued in office ever since. It was made a 
money order office in October, 1877. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Methodist Episcopal Society. — This society has been organized a 
number of years, and is in a flourishing condition. The new 
church edifice, a neat and substantial structure, was dedicated Sun- 
day, February 26th, of the present year, by Bishop Hurst. The 
building has a seating capacity of about 300. A largely attended 
Sabbath School has been organized, of which Mrs. A. A. Shesler 
is Superintendent; Miss Eva Gilmau, Secretary; John J. Haas, 
Librarian. 

Presbyterian Society. — The organization of this society was at 
an e?rly date in the history of the town. The church building 
was begun in the autumn of 1877, and cost about ^2,300. It was 
dedicated in May, 1878. The society was organized by Rev. Geo. 
R. Carroll, and Rev. W. H. Cuskey was the first minister in charge. 
Rev. S. C. Head is the present pastor. The church edifice is BOx 
46 feet in dimensions. The erection of a parsonage at an early 
date is contemplated. The Sabbath School has an attendance of 
from sixty to seventy pupils. Dr. James De Wolf is the Superin- 
tendent. 

Grace Episcopal Mission. — Organized January 3d, 1876, by Rev. 
F. T. Webb, of Council Bluffs. Services are for the present held 
in the M. E. Church edifice. The society will erect a suitable 
building during the current year. Rev. C. S. Fackenthall is the 
present pastor. The number of communicants is eighteen. 

The Catholic Church Society. — This Parish has a large and con- 
stantly increasing membership. Unfortunately, the church edi- 
fice, a commodious frame structure, was blown down by a wind- 
storm in the autumn of 1881. Nothing daunted, however, the 
congregation has formed plans for the erection of a new church 
building, which will be in every respect highly creditable, both to 
the members of the Parish and to the community in general. The 
proposed new building will be erected during the present year, will 
be of brick, and will probably cost from seven to eight thousand 
dollars. Rev. Father M. C. Lenahan is the present Rector of this 
Parish. 



i 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 479 

Swedish Liifhercni Society. — At present this society, as an orj^an- 
ization, may be said to be "without form and void,"' but matters 
are rapidly taking shape, and it is expected that during the present 
year a society of this denomination will be oi-ganized in A' ail, there 
being many of this particular faith in the town and vicinity. 

Vail Public Schools. — The independent school district of Vail 
was organized in the spring of 1879. The first Board of Directors 
were: J. P. Fitch, L. P. Mooney, E. Darling. E. M. Ainsworth 
was the first Principal, in which capacity he has been continued 
until the time of present Avriting. The first school in A" ail was 
taught in the winter of 1871-2, the school house having been built 
during the previous summer. Miss Mary De Wolf, now Mrs. A. 
L. Strong, was the first teacher. She was succeeded bv her brother, 
J. H. De Wolf. The first Sub-Director for this District was Wil- 
liam Bennett, who was succeeded by Dr. De Wolf, and he by 
George Head. The present school house was erected in 1877, and 
has cost not less than $3,000. Its dimensions are 40x50 feet; it is 
two stories high, and has three departments. The present corps 
of teachers are: E. M. Ainsworth, Principal; Miss Mattie Snod- 
grass. Intermediate; Miss Mollie Snodgrass, Primary. The total 
enrollment is 195; the average attendance, 145. The present Board 
of Education is: J. P. Fitch, President; J. McHenry, L. P. Mooney, 
C. H. Britton, James McAndrews; J. S. Nesbit, Secretary; C. E. 
Price, Treasurer. Prof. E. M. Ainsworth, who has been engaged 
in teaching in Vail for the past seven years, having been elected 
County Superintendent of Schools, will retire in April of this year, 
and be succeeded by William Stephens. The Vail schools have an 
excellent reputation for thoroughness and efficiency. 

Dinmond^Lodge^ U. i)., ^4. F. d' A. M. — The first regular meet- 
ing was held .lanuary 3d, 1882. There were twenty-two charter 
members. The officers are as folloAvs: E. Darling, W. M.; C. E. 
Price, S. W.; H. Bobbins, J. W.; W. L. Leland, S. D.; C. Priest, 
J. D.; J. E, Edgar, Secretary; J. F. Long, Treasurer. The mem- 
bership is tAventy-two. Meetings are held in Odd Fellows' Hall 
Tuesday evenings of each month, on or before the full moon. 

Vail Lodge No. 430, I. 0. 0. i^.— Instituted August 22d, 1881. 
Charter members: W. L. Leland, J. B. King, T. W. Butler, E. 

B. Legg, H. Bovce, H. C. Ford, Joseph White, C. H. Britton, F. 
A. Deed. First officers: T. W. Butler, N. G.; C. H. Britton, V." 
G.; J. B. King, Secretary; *£. B. Legg, Treasurer. Present officers; 

C. H. Britton, N. G.; J. F. Powers, V. G.; J. B. King, Secretary; 
J. E. Edgar, Treasurer. Meetings are held in Odd Fellows' Hall 
every Saturday evening. The membership is thirty-three. The 
Lodge is in a substantial and unusually encouraging condition. 

Vail Collegium No. 78, V. A .S. Frafer)iifi/. — Instituted Sep- 
tember 29th, 1881, with eleven charter members. First and pres- 
ent officers: E. Darling, K.: J. C. Butler. V. R.: F. B. Huckstep, 
S.; A. Z. Harmon, Q.; M. Fitzgerald, U.: T. J. Huffman, C; Simon 



480 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Jolinstou, S. The membership is fourteen, and meetings are held 
the first Saturday evening of each month in Huckstep's law office. 

DeSoto Lodge Xo. 63^ K. of P. — Instituted November lOtJi, 
1881. Charter members: E. M. Ainsworth, C. N. Clark, E. B. 
Legg, William Stephens, Simon Johnston, J. Cousins, H. C. Ford, 
C. C. Jewett, S. G. Hall, W. H. Brocklesbv. First officers: C. 
N. Clark, P. C; AVilliam Stephens, V. C"; E. M. Ainsworth. C. 
C; C. C. Jewett, P.; S. G. Hall, K. of R. k S.. J. Cousins, M. of 
F.;W.A. Brocklesby, M. of E.; C. G. Manchester, M. at A.; 
Simon Johnston, I. G. These officers continue the same as 
above. The present membership is seventeen, and meetings are 
held every alternate Friday evening in Odd Fellows' Hall. 

W. C. T. U. — -The Women's Christian Temperance Union of 
Vail was organized in 1880, Mrs. Dr. DeWolf is the President. 
This organization has been an effective agency in the promotion of 
the community's best interests . 

Band of Hope. — Organized May 11th, 1880. Present officers: 
Mrs. J. F. Powers, Superintendent; Fred. Edgar, President; 
Fannie Moulton, Vice-President; Anna DeWolf, Secretary; Jennie 
Bobbins, Treasurer. The membership is about forty. 

YoKHfj People' s Liiceum . — This society is composed of the pupils 
of the Grammar School. Weekly meetings are held, the objects 
being parliamentary drill, debates, etc. 

Public School Lihranj.- — A Public School Library has been 
established, the- funds for which were secured mainly by giving 
public entertainments . The District has levied a tax for the main- 
tenance of the Library, and large additions will shortly be made. 

Vail Silver Cornet Band. — Organized in 1876; William 
Stephens, President and Leader; Reginald Piatt, Secretary; H. S. 
Keller, Treasurer. There are ten members. This band has an ' 
established reputation as one of the best bands in western Iowa. 

WEST SIDE. 

This is one of the brightest and most thriving towns along the 
line of the C. ^^ N. W. K. R. It is located nfarthe eastern line 
of the county, and has a large scope of country tributary to it — 
not only in Crawford County, but also in Carroll, Sac and Shelby 
Counties. In the lauguage of a recent writer for one of the daily 
publications of the State, ''We have nowhere seen more evidences 
of thrift and prosperity among the business men than at West 
Side; and no town in this section of the state has a more earnest, 
enthusiastic and energetic class of people. They are courteous to 
strangers, alive to their own interests, aware of their importance 
and generous in all matters of public interest. 

"As a business point we douljt if any village of six hundred 
along this line of road surpasses AV'est Side. Socially, it leads the 
van, and politically it has some of the strongest men in the West. 



Jl 



HISTORY OF IOWA 481 

"The driving park association recently purchased several acres 
in the town-site, and will plant trees on the same this fall. The 
park contains one of the best half-mile tracks in the State/' 

West Side is located on section 24, township 8-4, range 37, six 
miles east of Vail, in West Side Township, and on the north side 
of the section. Payne's addition to West Side was made about the 
year 1878, and is located on section 13. The first addition to the 
town plat was made by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company. 

The town was laid out by the Blair Town Lot and Land Com- 
pany. The first improvements were made in 1872, by M. Smith, 
present County Recorder of Crawford County, who in that year 
built the first residence in the place. There was, however, previ- 
ous thereto a small house on the present town-site, for the accom- 
modation of the section " boss." 

Lampman & Wallace opened the first store in 1871. M. Smith 
and F. J. Gary engaged in the land, lumber and grain business in 
1872 under the firm name of Smith & Gary. H. C. Newton was 
the first station agent. The business house of Carl Weidling, af- 
terwards Weidling & Evers, was the first business house of impor- 
tance in the town. E. House also was among the first to enter the 
mercantile business in West Side, the firm subsequently becoming 
House & Lamb. 

West Side was incorporated March 11th, 1878, and has at the 
present time a population of about 600. The first town officers 
were: Carl Weidling. Mayor; L. L. Bond, Recorder; Henry Evers, 
Treasurer; E. M. Whipple, Marshal; James McClure, Street Com- 
missioner; A. Waterman, M. Smith, W. L. Spottswood, F. J. 
Gary, P, J. King, Council men. 

The following are the present officers: E. C. Haywood, Mayor; 
H. C. Ford, Recorder; C. D. Miller, Treasurer; H. B. Merrell, 
Marshal and Street Commissioner; A. Waterman, E.W. McCifack- 
en. P. J. King, L B. Nelson, R. J. White, C. D. Miller, Councilmen. 

The business establishments of AVest Side are represented as fol- 
lows: Drug stores, two; hotels, two; general stores, four; livery, 
three; blacksmith shops, two; shoe shop, one; restaurants, two; 
wagon shop, one; printing offices, two: hardware stores, two; sa- 
loons, four; lumber yards, two; grain dealers, three; agricultural 
implements, three; banks, two; lawyers, two; physicians, four; 
stock dealers, two: millinery, one; meat market, one; harness 
shops, two; barber shop, one; flouring mill, one; corn sheller, one; 
news depot, one. 

There are two banks, both of which do a thriving business, viz.: 
the West Side Bank,E. P. Gillette, Cashier; Exchange Bank, C. D. 
Miller, Cashier. 

M. Smith was the first postmaster. He was succeeded by R. B. 
Taylor. whose successor was W. L. Spottswood, the present incum- 
bent of the office. Mr. Spottswood received his appointment in 
1879. The office was made a money-order office in 1875. 



482 HISTOliY OF IOWA. 

West Side has two newspapers, both of which are excellent ex- 
ponents of the interests of their constituencifs. The IVest Side 
i^H^^T^^r/se was established in March. 1880, by H. C. Ford, the pres- 
ent editor and proprietor. It is a six-col amn folio, is Republican 
in politics, and has a circulation of 500. Mr. Ford was formerly 
a resident of Wheatland, Iowa. The West Side Dispatcli is a 
seven-column folio. Republican in politics, and was started April 
19th, 1881. W. N. Becker, Jr., & Co., are the proprietors, Mr. 
Becker being the editor. 

The West Side Flouring Mill was built by I. B. Nelson, the 
present proprietor, in 1878, the machinery being moved from 
Storey county. This mill is three-stories high, has a forty-horse 
engine, four run of stone, is furnished with the latest improved 
machinery, runs on full time, makes an excellent grade of flour, 
and has a capacity of one hundred barrels per day. 

There is also a corn sheller at West Side, with a capacity of 
shelling one car-load per hour. Ralph Simpson is the manager. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

TheM. E. Church Sociefij .—The organization of this society 
was some time prior to the year in which the church edifice was 
built, which was in 1878, the total cost of the structure being 
about $3,600. The building will seat about 300 people, and the 
society is in a prosperous and growing condition. 

TJie Public Schools. — The first school in AVest Side was taught 
in a carpenter shop in 1873. The first school house was built in 
1874. It was 24x36 feet in dimensions, one story high, an addi- 
tion of sixteen feet being afterwards made. The present school 
house was built in 1880, and is a large, two-story building of three 
departments. Prof. T. C. Branson is the Principal; Mrs. C. K. 
Ford and Miss Lottie Truesdal, Assistants. The school building is 
an imposing structure, in every way creditable to the community. 
The district was organized as an independent district in the spring 
of 1881. The total enrollment of pupils is 126. The following 
comprises the Board of Education: L. Schofield, President; R.B. 
Taylor, R. Wagoner. I. B. Nelson, Carl Weidling, S. T. Boynton; 
F. Knowles, Secretary; Henrv Evers, Treasurer. 

Seftiuf/ Sun Lodge No. 349, A. F. d- A. J/.— Instituted 1875, 
with fifteen charter members. First officers: M. Smith, W. M.; 
Charles Levy, S. W.; B. E. Allen, J. W.; R. B. Taylor, Secretary; 
F.J. Gary, 'Treasurer; H. B. Allen, S. D.; S. A. Miller, J. D. 
Present officers: E. C. Haywood, W. M.; J. P. Fitch, S. W.; A. 
Johnson, J. W.; C. B. Winters, Secretary; Frank Brown, Treas- 
urer. Membership, thirty-two. Meetings are held Saturday 
evening of each month, on or before the full moon. 
: Crau-ford Lorh/e Xo. US, A. 0. U. IF.— Instituted in 1877, 
with twentv charter members. First officers: E. P. Savage. P. 
M. W.; I. E. Blackman.M. W.; W. L. Spotswood, F.; Albert 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 4S3 

Johnson, 0.; N. A. Miller, R.; F. P. Wiseman. F.; F. Dean. S.; 
M. L. Spotswood, G.; S. L. Perrin, I. W.;F. Brown, 0. AV. Pres- 
ent officers: W. L. Spotswood, P. M. W.; W. N. Becker, Jr., 
M. W.; I. B. Nelson, F.; T. McBride, 0. ; Carl Weidling. P.; A. 
Johnson. F.; F. Brown, G.; C. P. Anderson. I. W.; George Cnrtis, 
0. W. The membership is about thirty-five. Meetings are held 
every Tuesday evening in Masonic Hall. 

KU pat rick Post No. 70, G. A. i^— Mustered Fel)ruary 14th, 
18S2. with nineteen charter members. Meetings are held twice a 
month on Saturday evenings in Masonic Hall. The following are 
the present officers: William Vickers, Post Commander; William 
Johns, Senior Commander; S. D. Brown, Junior Commander; E. 
P. Gillette, Quartermaster; A. Waterman. Surgeon; George Hiel- 
ing. Chaplain; H. C. Ford. Adjutant; J. M. Locke. Officer of the 
Day; R. B. Taylor, Officer of the Guard; W. T. Highberger, 
Quartermaster's Sergeant; Isaac Patterson, Sergeant Major. 

DOW CITY. 

Dow City, or Dowville, as it was formerly called, was named in 
honor of Judge S. E. Dow, the original town proprietor and first 
settler, and is located on section 10, township 82, range 40, on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, a little more than nine miles 
southwest of Denison. Judge Dow, who is the Mayor of the 
town, and as might well be supposed, in view of the circumstances, 
one of its leading citizens, came from Harrison County and located 
where Dow Citv now stands, in 1855. He still owns 1,800 acres 
of land immediately surrounding the townsite, besides being a 
large owner of town property. 

Dowville Avas platted in 1869 by Judge S. E. Dow. and the Blair 
Town Lot and Land Company, Dow donating a half-interest in 
400 acres of the townsite to the Blair Company in consideration of 
a railroad station being established at this point. A large addition 
to the town was laid out in November, 1881, by Dow and the Blair 
Company, who also donated a plat of ground, 300 by 540 feet in 
dimensions, to the city for use as a public park, in consideration 
of the city's agreeing to expend an amount agreed upon in improv- 
ing and beautifying the same. 

There was no building in Dowville until 1870. The depot was 
built in December of that year. June 1st, 1870, Abner Graves 
unloaded ten cars of lumber at Dowville, and immediately 
engaged in the lumber business, the firm subsequent!}' be- 
coming Dow, Graves & Co., the grain and farm machinery busi- 
ness being added. About the same time Graves also erected his 
present residence. During the season just ended. Graves disposed 
of his interest in the above firm, whose title is now S. E. Dow & Son. 

In March, 1870, Mr. Graves started the Dow City Bank, a flour- 
ishing financial institution, in a building which he erected for that 
purpose. 



484 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Among others of the very earliest settlers were, L. E. Hardy, 
who opened a general store; a Mr. Wiggins, blacksmith: W. C. 
Hillas, general store; M. B. Lewis, drug store; William Cook, gen- 
eral store, in the building now occupied by T. J. Rasp & Co.; Wil- 
liam Sullivan, saloon; Joseph McCole meat market; Albert God- 
dard, wagon and plow business; A. Manning, drayage; Bell& 
Whalley. meat market; John Lewis, hotel; H. C. Bowring, livery. 
Benjamin Heath, now with Dow & Son, was the first depot agent. 

The town was incorporated in November, 1878, at which time 
the name was changed from Dowville to Dow City. The first mu- 
nicipal officers, under incorporation, were: S. E. Doav, Mayor; T. 
J. Rasp, Recorder; Abner Graves, Treasurer; F. C. Piatt, Attor- 
ney; H. E. Talcott, Marshal; Abner Graves, L. E. Hardy, W. B. 
Hillas, Theo. Walker, W. B. Evans, Benjamin Heath, Trustees. 

The following are the present officers: S.E.Dow, Mayor; F. 
L. Gilbert, Recorder; iVbner Graves, Treasurer; F. C. Piatt, Attor- 
ney; H. S. Jordan, Marshal; T. J. R^sp, J. J. Anthonv, E. God- 
dard, Henry Bell, W. B. Evans, W. C. Hillas. Trustees. 

Sarah Gaetta Hardy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Hardy, 
was the first child born in Dowville. She w^as born October 12th, 
1870. 

The Dow City Flouring Mill is one of the most important in- 
dustries of the place. It is located on the Boyer River, about 150 
yards north of the depot, at the foot of Franklin Street. This 
mill was built by T. W. Chatburn in 1875, who ran it about a 
year, when the firm became Chatburn & Rule. Subsequently 
Dow, Graves and Rule became proprietors, and at present the mill 
is owned by Dow & Graves. The building is 42x52 feet in dimen- 
sion*, is three-stories higli, exclusive of the basement, has four run 
of stone, and all the latest improved machinery for making the 
patent and fancy grades of flour. The mill is complete in every 
respect, and is as fine a mill, size being considered, as there is in 
all the extent of country included in this work. Its capacity is 
about seventy barrels of flour per day. 

The Dow City Criterion is a neat five-column quarto news- 
paper, started in November, 1880. It is independent in politics, 
and is in every way a credital)le publication. F. Bangs is the edi- 
tor; D.J. Butler and Stella M. Bangs, proprietors. 

The growth of Dow City has been a steady and sturdy one; its 
location is picturesque and advantageous; the country surround- 
ing is remarkably v/ell adapted to farming and stock-raising, and 
is already well improved. The buildings of Dow City are sub- 
stantial and attractive. 

The following is a classified summary of the business establish- 
ments: General merchandise, three; hardware, two; agricultural 
implement depots, two; livery, two; hotels, two; drug-stores, two; 
meat markets, two; harness, one; furniture, one: saloons, two; 
pimber yards, two; grain dealers, two; blacksmith shops, three: 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 4S5 

■\vagon shop, one; paint shop, one; barber shop, one; millinery and 
dressmaking, one; bank and land office, one; physicians, two; at- 
torneys, two; insurance agency, one; printing otfice, one. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

The Diipiht Church Soeieti/. — This society was organized in the 
winter of 1879, l)y Rev. Mr. Hawk, of Denison. Rev. F. W. Fos- 
ter was the pastor until recently. At present the society has no 
regular pastor. The membership is about twenty. The church 
edifice was erected in the autumn of 1881. It is not yet com- 
pleted. The estimated cost is $2,000. Its seating capacitv is 
about 200. 

The M. E. Church Society. — Organized in the winter of 1869. 
Rev. B. Shinn was the first pastor. He was succeeded, in the or- 
der named, by Revs. W. W. Glanville, Waynick, William Pat- 
terson, Wright, and C. Smith, the latter of whom is the pres- 
ent pastor. The church building was erected in 1879, at a total 
cost of $2,000. A parsonage was erected in 1877, at a cost of $600. 
The membership is about seventy-five. The Sabbath School has 
an attendance of about sixty pupils. George Rae is the Superin- 
tendent. The present church officers are: George Rae, T. Rae, 
M. M. McHenry, S. J. Comfort, S. S. Gibson, T. W. Parker, W. 
Whaley, John Rule, M. Wiggins, Trustees; S. J. Comfort, E. W. 
Pierce, Stewards; John Rule, Treasurer; L. E.Hardy, George Rae, 
Morris McHenry, Class Leaders. The church building has a seat- 
ing capacity of 250, and is 32x48 feet in dimensions. 

The Boijer Valleij Branch of the GcdJand's Grove District of 
tJie Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 
of Dow City. — Organized in 1866. The present church edifice 
was, as is explained elsewhere, formerly the school house of Dow City 
and was purchased by the above society in 1879. The society has 
a membership of forty-one, all of whom, with the exception of 
six or eight, are converts to the reorganized church since about the 
year 1860. George Montague was the first Presiding Elder. The 
Presiding Elders since were in the order named, as follows: 
Aaron Hawley, George Montague, Absalom Kerkendall, Eber 
Benedict, C. E. Butterworth and John R. Rudd. the latter of 
whom is the present Presiding Elder. Charles E. Butterworth is 
at present the principal preacher for this society. The officers of 
the society are: John R. Rudd, Presiding Elder; Abel H. 
Rudd, Priest; C. M. Wilder, Teacher. The first preaching 
was in the year ^ 1859-60, Elders Mcintosh, William Blair 
and E. C. Briggs being the first ministers. As is else- 
where explained in the History, the reorganized church rejects 
the doctrine of polygamy, and abhor its practice. They preach the 
Bible with the Book of Mormon as concomitant and additional in- 
spirational evidence. 



4S6 " HISTORY OF IOWA. 

The Public School. — As yet DctV City is not organized as an 
independent school district. The first school house was erected in 
1872. It is a frame building, 24x36 feet in dimensions, and was 
subsequently sold to the Society of Latter Day Saints, l)eing now 
used for church purposes. George Rae taught the first school in 
Dow City. The present school house was completed in 1878. It 
is a two-story building of four departments, and is 42x48 feet in 
dimensio]is. The School Directors in 1872 were: S. E.Dow, for 
the Dow City schools; J. V. McHenry, Thomas Binnell, John 
Pett, S. R. Huffman. The present Board is as follows: George 
Rae, for the Dow City schools; Thomas Binnell, Frank McHenry, 

E. Howorth, Martin Conroy, C. FuUerton; Brake is the 

Principal; Miss Nellie Morrill, Teacher of the Intermediate, and 
Miss Effie J. Kilbourne, teacher of the Primary Department. The 
enrollment is about 160; the average attendance, about 140 pupils. 

Doiv Citij Lodge No. 111^ loica Legion of Honor. — Organized 
June 22d, 1881, with twenty-tw^o charter members. The first offi- 
cers were: J. J. Anthony, President; G. Hawlev, V. P.; W. C. 
Pritchard, F. S.; W. H. Rule, R. S.; W. W. Cushman. Treasurer; 
Dr. W. Beatta, Medical Examiner; W. V. Whaley, C; J. E. Rule, 
U.; N. H. Miles, D.: M. G.Wiggins. S.; E. Y. Goddard, Benj. A. 
Heath, C. M. Wilder, Trustees. With the exception of M. G. 
Wiggins as F. S., William Sullivan, as Usher, M. B. Lewis, as 
Door-keeper, C. M. Wilder, Sentinel, and C. E. Butterworth as 
Trustee in place of C. M. Wilder, the present officers are the same as 
before. The present membership is eighteen. Meetings are held 
on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month. The 
Lodge is in a substantial and encouraging condition. 

The Township Library. — This library is located in Brake Bros." 
furniture store, W. P. Brake being the Librarian. There are 
about 500 volumes in the library, which is recognized as an insti- 
tution of great value, and which is being fostered by the citizens 
accordingly. 

IF. C. t. U. — The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of 
Dow City is one of the important and influential factors of the 
place, and has accomplished much in the promotion of the com- 
munity's best interests. Among other results of the Union's 
efforts has been a series of instructive and entertaining public lec- 
tures. Mrs. C. Smith is the President; Miss Effie J. Kilbourne, 
Secretary; Mrs. Benj. A. Heath, Treasurer. 

Dow Cifg Cornet Band. — Organized in the winter of 1880-81. 
There are fourteen members. M. G. Wiggins is the President; C* 
H. Brooke, Secretary and Treasurer; Frank E. Wilder, Leader. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 487 



CRAWFORD COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



DENISON. 

August Anderson, of the firm of Gregory & Anderson, Avas born 
in Sweden in 1849; was three years a sailor on the high seas. He 
came to Denison in the autumn of 1870, and was for seven years 
engaged as clerk for Sunough & Bullock. He married Matilda 
Kirnback, a native of Swedeu, in May 1874. They have three 
children, Albert, Oscar K., and Carl Otto. 

L. T, Carr, dealer in notions, stationery, and news — Main street, 
opposite court house — was born in Stark county, 0., in Jan. 1846; 
removed to Ind.; thence to la. in 1869 and located in Denison in 
1871 and engagel in clerking until 1875. He enlisted in the 1st 
Ind. heavy artillery; was mustered out at the close of the war. He 
was with Gen. Banks on the Red River expedition. He married 
Ellie Harriman, of Ind. 

M. J. Cochran, wagon-maker, was born in Crawford county. Pa., 
in Feb., 1844; removed to la. in 1877 and engaged in business. He 
married Elizabeth Greeg, a native of Venango county, Pa., inl874. 
They have three children, Edward, Mary and Charles; have lost 
one, Lucy May, who died in 1877. 

J. W. Cochran, blacksmith, was born in Crawford county. Pa., 
in July, 1847; removed to CraAvford county, la., in 1869; was en- 
gaged for a time in farming, then learned his trade Avith John Lit- 
tle, of Vail. He married Catherine O'Neil, of Memphis, Tenn., in 
1878. They have tAvo children, Zella and George; haA'e lost one, 
Louis. 

Capt. B. F. Darling Avas born in Franklin county, Vt., in Sept., 
1837; moved to N. H. in 1859; thence to Clinton county, la., 
where he enlisted in Co. A. 9th regiment of volunteer infantry; 
he was wounded at Pea Ridge, Mo., March 8th, 1862; Avas mus- 
tered out at the close of the war as captain. As a soldier he was 
conspicuous for bravery and fidelity. He was appointed clerk in 
1881 to fill the vacant place of W. S. Wilson, deceased. He mar- 
ried Sarah Gibson, a native of England, in Jan., 1857, and has one. 
€hild, A. W.; has lost one, Emma M., AA-ho died July 7th, 1862. 

C. H. Evers, proprietor of the City Meat Market, one door 
Avest of McHenry's bank, Avas born in Holestein, Germany, in Jun_e, 
1843; came to America in 1864, and settled in Denison in 1874 
and engaged in his present business. In 1881 he erected a brick 
building Avitli all the modern improvements for his business. He 
is also owner of the hotel knoAvn as the Farmers' House. He mar- 



488 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

ried Wilhelraina Meiburg, a native of Germany, in 1861. They 
have seven children, Heinrich, Annie, Millie, Herman, Anyti, Ed- 
ward and George. Mr. E. is the owner of the right of sale of the 
Champion force pump, in five counties. He is one of the trustees 
of the new German Opera Hall. 

Edward Eaton, harness maker. Main street, was born in Ind. 
in Nov., 1845; removed to 0. in 1S50, thence in 1851 to Fayette 
county, la. He enlisted in Co. F. 9th la. Y. L; was discharged in 
July, 1865, and returned to Fayette county; removed to Crawford 
county in 1879. He married Louisa F. Gulick, a native of la., in 
1876. 

Wm. Familton, agent for the Iowa Land Company, was born in 
Harrison county, 0., Sept. 25th, 1825; removed to DeWitt, la., in 
1852 and engaged in the land business. He held the office of 
sheriff and also was clerk of the court of Clinton county. He en- 
listed in Co. F., 44th la. Vol. Inft., as captain, was mustered out 
in 1864. He came to Crawford county in May, 1871. He was 
married to Miss Gondy, of DeWitt, now deceased, who left six 
children. He took for his second wife Roena N. Horton, of 
Denison. He has one son. 

Garrison & Roberts, attorneys and counsellors at law, Denison, 
Iowa. 

D. H. Gill, dentist, office room No. 1, in McHenry bank building. 
He was born in Chester county, Pa., in Aug., 1844; removed with 
his parents to Logan county, 0., and then to Cedar county, la., 
in 1849, where his father is still living; engaged in the practice of 
medicine. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. G, 2cl la. Cav.; was dis- 
charged in 1865. He first studied dentistry with Dr. Tabor, of 
Cedar county, then with Dr. Tulloss, of Iowa City, then moved to 
Independence; thence to Denison in 1877. He married Ellen A. 
Henry, of Buchanan county, in 1868. They have four children, 
Ethie, Percy, Alice and Annie. 

H. W. Gregory, of the firm of Gregory & Anderson, druggists, 
was born in Livingston, N. Y., in Aug., 1824. Was engaged as 
book-keeper for the Genesee River bank, then came Avest and was 
engaged with the Horicon & Milwaukee R. R. as agent located in 
Wis.; then went to Chicago and was in the employ of Stephens 
Bros.; from thence he went to Wis., and purchased 140 acres of 
land in Rock county; thence to Crawford county, la., and en- 
gaged in farming on 300 acres; sold out and engaged in his pres- 
ent business. Has held the office of magistrate, also been secre- 
tary of school board. 

E. D. Gould, farmer and stock dealer, section 17, East Boyer 
township, was born in Lewis county ,N. Y., in Nov. .1853; moved to 
111. m 1861; thence to Crawford county, la., in 1872, and now owns 
936 acres of land, with good house and the largest barn in the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 489 

connty. The barn was erected in the autumn of 1881. He 
married EDa I. Morgan, a native of Buena Vista county, la., in 
1870, and has two children, Captidonaand Lodemia. 

Geo. W. Heston, clerk of the court, was born in Philadelphia, 
Pa., in Apr., 1832. He enlisted in the 71st Reg. of Pa. Vol. 
Inft.; was taken prisoner and incarcerated at Richmond; after- 
wards was discharged and returned to Pa. He came to la. in 
1870 and engaged in farming; was county surveyor four years. 
He married Lizzie B. Cann in 1856; she died in 1858, leaving one 
child, now Mrs. Mead, of Denison. In 1862 he married Sally J. 
Bender, of Philadelphia, Pa. They have four children. Mr. H. 
is a member of the A. F. & A. M. 

Dr. W. W. Holmes, was born iu Hardin county, 0., in July 
1813, He enlisted iu the 15th 0. Reg., and at the end of three 
months re-enlisted in the 123rd 0. Inft.; was detailed as hospital 
steward, and discharged in 1863; then enlisted in the 135th 0. 
Inft., and was mustered out at the close of the war. He studied 
medicine at Kenton, 0., and graduated at the Miami Medical In- 
stitute in the spring of 1866; removed to Boone county, la., in 
1869, and to Denison in 1871:. He married Marv Ringer, of 0., 
in 1868, 

John F, Hoist, proprietor of the City shoe store, two doors west 
of McHenry's bank building, was born in Germany in Oct., 1816. 
He took part in the Franco-German war, in 1870-71; came to 
America in 1872, and to Denison in 1871 . His wife is a native 
of Germany. They have two children, John F. and Max, 

F, 0, Ivers, dealer in stoves and tinware, opposite Lamb's liv- 
ery stable, was born in Holstein, Ger., in Oct., 1848; came to Amer- 
ica in 1868 and located in Louisa county, la. ; removed to Crawford 
county, la., in June, 1881. He married Dora Smith, who is a na- 
tive of Ger., in 1876. They have two children, Ella and Mary. 

Adelphus B. Keith, editor and proprietor of the Crawford 
County Bulletin, was born iu Appleton, Me., in 1854; moved to 
111., and came to Crawford county, Iowa, in 1865; located in Deni- 
son in 1871, Married to Miss Carrie Bieber, of Denison, and has 
one son living, Mr, Keith headed the Iowa State democratic ticket, 
as candidate for secretary of state, in 1880. He is a graduate of 
the American Institute of Phrenology, of N. Y., is a student of 
iniusual persistency, and has already achieved a more than local 
reputation as a lecturer on popular scientific topics. 

Rudolph Knaul, druggist and dealer in fancy goods, was born in 
Berlin, Ger,, in 1850; came to America in 1870 and located in 
Chicago; removed to Clinton, la., and came to Denison in 1878, 
and engaged in his present business. He married Maggie Au, of 
N, Y. City, and has two children, Mamie and Alice. 

33 



iGO HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

Thomas Luney, of the firm of Luney Bros., was born in An- 
trim, near Belfast, Ireland, Oct. 27th, 1817; came to America in 
1865 and located at Pontiac, III., and engaged in farming; in 1868 
he removed to la. He married Mary Smyth, a native of Ireland. 
They have had seven children. 

Samuel Luney was born in Belfast, Ireland, July 7th, 1844; 
came to America with his parents in 1856; removed to Crawford 
county, la., in 1867. He is member of the firm of Luney Broth- 
ers, machinists and millers. He married Martha J. Hughes, a na- 
tive of La Salle county. 111. William Luney. Jr., member of the 
above firm, was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1849. 

W. A. McHenry (autobiography), banker, was born Mar. 6th, 
1841, in Almond, Allegheny county, N. Y. His father, James Mc- 
Henry, died the same year, leaving a family of thirteen children. 
W, A. being the youngest, lived with the oldest brother and sister 
at the old homestead until 1855 (his mother dying when he was 
but eight years old), when he went to Wis., where he worked on a 
farm summers and attended school winters. In the spring of 
1860, he went to Ogle county. 111., working on a farm until after 
the battle of Bull Run, in 1861. In response to his country's 
call, he enlisted as a private in Co. F. 8th 111. Cav., re-enlisting as 
a veteran in the same regiment in Jan., 1864, and was mustered 
out of service as 1st sergeant at Benton Barracks, Mo., July 23rd, 
1865. He then came to Denison and became a partner with his 
brother Morris in the real estate business, and also served under 
him in the county treasurer's office as deputy, until 1871, when 
the firm of McHenry Bros., in connection with their real estate 
business, established the first banking house in Crawford county. 
They occupied the upper story of a brick building on Main street, 
erected by Plimpton & McHenry as a general store, of which firm 
he was a partner eight years. In 1874 McHenry Bros., finding 
their present quarters inadequate to their growing iDUsiness, erected 
on the corner of Main and Broadway their present commodious 
bank building, a fine two-story brick with terra cotta cornices and 
window trimmings, handsomely finished inside and furnished with 
fire-proof vaults and one of Hall's burglar-proof safes with a Sar- 
gent's time-lock attachment. The building complete cost $15,- 
000. In 1877, his brother, wishing to retire from active business, 
sold to him his interest and the name of McHenry Bros, was 
changed to the W. A. McHenry Bank and Land Office. In 1864 
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Sears, of Rockford, 111., 
an accomplished lady, who preceded him to Denison one 3^ear, 
working in the county treasurer's office until the close of the war, 
thus lending her aid to establish one of the most successful busi- 
ness firms in southwesterp la. 

A. D. Molony, county auditor, Avas born in Queens county, 
Ireland, in 1818; came to the LT. S. in 1836; was a resident of the 
eastern and southern states until 1861. when he came to Crawford 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 491 

county. He was appointed auditor in .A])r., 1861, and elected to 
that office in the autumn, and lias held the office ever since. He 
niarrie/l Bridget Shaaran, a native of Ireland, and has four 
children. 

•Fred. Nagel, proprietor of the saloon one door west of the 
Commercial house, was born in Wentdorf, Germany, in 1845; was 
engaged in the last war between France and Prussia; came to the 
U. S. in Oct., 1871. and soon after settled in Clinton county, la.; 
removed to Crawford county in 1878. He married Henlena C. 
Peterson, a native of Germany, in Dec, 1871. They have five 
children, William, Louis, Mary, Christina and Arthur. 

S. Peterson, wagon maker, was born in Prussia, July 4th, 1846;. 
came to America in 1871, and settled in Clinton county, la. ; re- 
moved to Crawford county in 1879. 

F. M. Penney, of the firm of Penney & Morgan, proprietors of 
the Peoples' One Price Cash Store, was born in Adams, Jefferson 
county, N. Y., June IGth, 1857; removed to Livingston county, 
HI., where he was cashier of the Odell Mercantile bank for five 
years; then came to Denison. 

John L. Richardson, deputy treasurer, was born in Chautauqua 
county, N. Y., Sept. (itn, 1837; removed to Linn county, la., in 
1861. He enlisted in the 20th la. Vol. Inft., and w^as engaged in 
the battles of Vicksburg, Fort Morgan, Blakely and Mobile. He 
was mustered out July Sth, 1865, and returned to Linn county; 
removed to Crawford county, June 6th, 1874, and engaged in 
farming, also teaching school. He has held the office of town- 
ship clerk and assessor of Soldier towniship. He is a member of 
the A. F. & A. M. Lodge. He married Mary McArthur, of Linn 
count}^ Oct. 4th, 1867. 

E. H. Smith, painter and glazier, wa« born in Morgan county, 
0., Jan. 28th, 1844; removed to la, in 1852, and settled in Clinton 
county. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. H, 26th Li. Inft.; was in the 
Vicksburg campaign and Sherman's march to the sea. He mar- 
ried Miss S. R. Owens, of Ind., in 1864, and has four children, 
Emma, Belle, Louis and William, 

Fred. Stoecks, dealer in millinery and fancy goods, Avas born in 
Germany, Apr.. 25th, 1826; came to America in 1832 and located 
at Davenport, la.; removed to Denison in 1879. He married 
Matilda Schmitsch, in 1870, and has two children, Matilda and 
Harry. 

John F. Stubbe, proprietor of the Denison Meat Market, cor. 
of Main and Broadway, Avas born in Holstein, Germ an v. July 
26th, 1833; cam.e to the U. S. in 186G and located in Davenport, 
la.; removed to Moline, 111., and learned his trade, then came to 
Denison in May. 1881, and engaged in his present business. In 
1881 he married Matilda Achterberg, a native of Germany, but a 
resident of Davenport since the age of one year. 



492 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

A. D. Wilson, of the firm of Wygant & Wilson, dealers in hard- 
ware, stoves and tinware, was born in Kane connty, 111., Jan. 5th, 
1846; removed to Buchanan connty, la.; thence to Crawford 
county; thence to Buena Vista county, where he remained eight 
years; thence back to Crawford county. He enlisted in May, 
1863, in the 141st, 111. Vol. He married Clara Wightman, "a 
native of Canada, in 1868. They have four children, Harry, 
Lillie, Howard and Floyd. 

VAIL. 

E. M. Ainsworth, superintendent of schools for Crawford county, 
also dealer in drugs, notions and fancy goods, was born in Dodge 
county. Wis., in Sept., 1848; came to la. in 1868, and has been en- 
gaged in teaching in the public school of Vail for seven years, was 
elected to his present office in the autumn of 1881. He was mar- 
ried Sept. 1st. 1880, to Nellie Wightman, a native of Vt. 

William W. Anderton, proprietor of the livery and feed stable 
and dealer in stock, was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., June 16th, 
1813. He learned the printer's trade, served seven years, then 
published the People's Advocate, at Sheffield, Eng. ; came to Amer- 
ica in 1838 and located in Morgan county. 111.; removed to Craw- 
ford county, la., in the autumn of 1857, and Bought 160' acres of 
land near where Vail now stands; in 1872 he removed to Vail and 
has been mayor of the city two terms. He was married in Feb., 
1836, at St. Peter's Church, Eng., to Eliza Authorton, a native of 
Sheffield, who died Feb. 13th, 1845. In Feb., 1846, he was married 
to Julia Cad well, a native of Morgan county. 111., who died April 
26th, 1871. He has had six children, but three of whom are liv- 
ing,George H., Charles W., and John C. 

E. B. Bannister, dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware and cut- 
lery, was bf rn in Naperville. Du Page county. 111., in 1843. He 
enlisted in Co. B., 105th 111. Vol. Inft., in 1862, and was appointed 
regimental postmaster; was in several battles and was discharged 
at Louisville, Ky., in 1863 and returned to 111.; removed to Chicago, 
and in 1871 came to Denison, Crawford county, la., and to Vail in 
the fall of the same year and established his present business. He 
is a member of the town council, hi the autumn of 1871 he was 
married to Jennie Gould, of Belvidere, 111. 

Morris Casey, of the firm of Casey & Casey, dealers in live stock, 
was born in Boston. Mass., in Jan., 1851; removed to^DeWitt, la., 
in 1854; thence to Crawford county in 1880. In Jan., 1877, he 
was married to Mary J. Barnes, a native of N. Y. 

P. J. Casey, of the firm of Casey & Casey, dealers in live stock, 
was born in Ireland in 1843, came to America with parents and 
located at Davenport, la., in 1846; removed to St. Louis and en- 
gaged in business as an architect. In 1875 he came to Vail, la. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 493 

and established his present business. In 1866 he married P]lla 
McSrath, a native of St. Louis. She died in 1871, and in 1N77 he 
married Sarah Kelley, and has two chiklren, Eddie and Susie. 

J. W. Cousins, dealer in agricultural implements, was born in 
Lincolnshire, Eug., Aug. 26th, 1848; came to America and located 
in Clinton county, la., and engaged in farming. He established 
his present business at Vail, in 1880, He was married in 1869 to 
Anna Martin, a native of Clinton county, and has five' children, 
Anna, Kate, William, Joseph and George. 

J. J." Coughlin, blacksmith; was born in Canada, Jan. 1st, 1853; 
came to the states in 1874 and located at Dunlap, Li., in 1875; 
thence to Vail in 1878. 

Ed. Darling, M. D., was born in Franklin county, N. Y., in 
Mar., 1839; removed to Maquoketa, la., in 1848. He studied 
with' Dr. J. H. Hollister, and then attended the Eclectic Institute 
at Cincinnati, 0. He enlisted Aug. 12th, 1861, in the 9th, la. 
Vol. Inft., Co. A.; was appointed hospital steward; was in a num- 
ber of prominent battles, and was discharged at Louisville, Ky., 
in 1865 and returned to Cincinnati, and graduated in 1866. He 
returned to Mac^uoketa and engaged in the drug business; removed 
to Vail in 1870. He married Addie Stephens, a native of 0., in 
Jan., 1866. 

G. Davison, publisher of the Observer, established that paper 
Mav 1st, 1875; he sold to Otto Engstrom, in Oct., 1879. Mr. 
E. sold to J. H. Roberts, Jr.. Mr. Roberts sold to H. C Ford, 
and in May, 1881, Mr. Davison bought the paper again, and has 
continued to publish it ever since . He was born in Will county, 
111., in Feb. , 1853; came to la. in 1865, and located at Lyons; 
thence removed to Marshalltown, and in 1868 to Boone^ where he 
was employed in the Republican office for five years. 

Hon. James De Wolf, M. D., postmaster, was born in Caven- 
dish, Vt., in Feb. ,1819; removed with his parents to Bradford 
county. Pa.; studied medicine with Dr. Barnes, of Le Rays- 
ville, and afterwards practiced with Dr. Horton, of Terry ville. 
He removed to Carroll county. 111., in 1852, and engaged in farm- 
ing, was school commissioner, and represented his district in the 
state legislature. He removed to Cedar county, la., in the 
spring of 1865, and engaged in the land agency business; removed 
to Crawford county in 1871, and bought 560 acres of land and 
established a grocery business at Vail, which was the first business 
house at that place: has bten justice of the peace. He married 
Anna, daughter of Maj . Horton, of Terrytown, Pa., in May, 1849. 
They have four children, Mary, John, George and Anna. 

I. p. Fitch, dealer in lumber, grain and coal, was born in 
Rensselaer county, N. Y., July 24th, 1841: removed to N. Y. 
City, and in 1876 came to Crawford county, ta., and engaged in 



491 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

his present business; bought and sold about 200.000 bushels of 
grain during the year 1881. He is a member of the board of 
supervisors, and is S. W. of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge. He was 
married Apr. 19th, 1863, to Lucia Sears, of Mass., and has six 
children, Samuel, James D., Abbie E., Edward H., Julia L. and 
Eilena. 

M. Fitzgerald, M. D., was born in Chicago, III., in July, 1849, 
enlisted in the Iron Brigade as a private, and was promoted to the 
position of first lieutenant of company H. He was discharged as 
captain. Sept. 15th, 1861, he re-enlisted; was imprisoned at Lex- 
ington, exchanged and returned to service in W. V.; was wounded 
at Winchester, Oct. 13th, 1864, and discharged Jan. ITth, 1865, 
and returned to Chicago. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. 
J. H. Taggert, and graduated from Rush Medical college in the 
spring of 1878; engaged in practice in Whiteside county. 111. 
In Mar., 1877, he removed to Vail, la. He is a member of the 
A. F. & A. M. In 1863 he was married to Ellen Quinn, a native 
of 111., who died in Aug., 1879, leaving one child, James W. He 
married Ellen O'Connell, a native of la., in Apr., 1880. 

G. C. Gerrick, wagon-maker, was born in Berlin, Ger., in Mar., 
1854; came to America in 1868, and settled in Chicago, 111.; re- 
moved to la. in 1864 . In 1879 he married Eila E. Thompson, a 
native of Mich., and has one child, Nellie. 

Perry Kemerling, of the firm of P. Kemerling & Bro., livery 
and feed stable, was born in Henry county, 111., in May 1856; 
came to la. in 1874. He engaged in his present business in Vail 
Nov. 24th, 1881. He married Fanny Bennett, a native of Henry 
county. 111., in Nov., 1874, They have two children, George M. 
and Lucy Bell. 

Miles Laughland. proprietor of the Board of Trade saloon, was 
born in Kenosha, Wis., May 1st, 1854; came to la. Mar. 15th, 
1862, and engaged in his present business at Vail, in 1881. 

Rev. Father M. E. Lenihan was born in Dubuque, la., Oct. 
5th, 1835; was educated at St. John's College at Prairie du Chien, 
Wis.; then went to Canada and graduated from the Grand Semi- 
nary at Montreal, and was ordained priest Dec. 20th, 1879, and lo- 
cated at Lyons, la., where he remained two months and removed 
to Vail, succeding Father McGrath, who was called to Ireland. 
Since residing here he has organized a Father Matthew Temper- 
ance society, and a good library. During the cyclone of Sept. 29th, 
1881, the church was blown away. The congregation now con- 
template building a fine brick edifice soon. 

Henry Meyer, proprietor of the saloon and billiard hall, was born 
in Germany, Oct. 4th, 1845; came to America in 1860 and located 
at Chicago; removed to Clinton county, la., in 1873; thence to 
Crawford county, in 1876, where he owns a fine farm of 410 acres. 



I 



HISTORY OF TOWA. 495 

He was married in 1809 to Doris Myer, a native of Germa.iv. 
Thev have live ciiildren, Charlie. Caroline, Emma, Willie and 
Clara. 

C. E. Rice, cashier of the Trader's bank, established in 1880, 
was born in Berkeley connty, Va. June 5th, 1853; came to la. in 
1873. He is treasurer of the school board and has been clerk of 
the town of Vail. He married Jennett Shaw, a native of Vt.. Oct. 
16th, 1881. 

John Short, proprietor of the Vail Flouring Mills, capacity of 
sixty barrels of flour per day, also dealer in grain, lumber and coal, 
has the machinery for shelling and loading a car every half-hour. 
He was born in Edinburg, Scotland; came to America in 1850 and 
located in Canada; removed to Chicago in 1868, then came to 
Boone county, la,, and built a mill; then came to Vail and built 
his present mill. He was married in Scotland to Margaret Mather, 
and has six children, Adam, Helen, Agnes, James M., Elizabeth 
and Maffffie. 



"•oo' 



John Spire, blacksmith, was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., in 
Dec, 1838; came to America in 1866, and settled in 111.; came to 
Crawford county in Mar., 1875. He was married Apr. 7th, 1850, 
to Mary A. Pocklington, a native of England. They have four 
children, George, Lena, Mary and Alfred. 

A. L. Strong, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Canaan, 
Conn., in Feb., 1841. He enlisted in 1862 in the 37th Mass. Vol. 
Inft.; was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, May 6th, 
1864, and was discharged in June, 1865. He came to la. in 1872 
and established his present business. He married Mary De Wolf, 
a native of Pa., in May, 1873. They have two children, Ella L. 
and Anna M. Mr. S. is a member of the town council of Vail. 

John Thompson, miller, was born in Scotland, in Oct., 1848; 
came to America in 1869, and settled in Grundy county. 111., and 
was employed as engineer, by A. K. Styles, of Gardner; then re- 
moved to Boone county, la.; thence to Crawford county in 1874 
and has since been employed by John Short in the Vail mills. He 
was married in 1874 to Helen B. Short, a native of Canada. They 
have three children, Anna, George and John. 

T. Weyener. baker and dealer in fancy groceries and confection- 
ery, was born in Hamburg, Ger., in 1830; came to America in Sept. 
1850, and located at Dabuque, and in 1875 came to Vail and 
opened a saloon and engaged in his present business in 1877. In 
May, 1838, he married Lena Fugenbachler, and has eight children 
living, lost two. 

A. D. Young, dealer in lumber, grain and coal", was born in 
Scotland, in June, 1832; came to America in 1853. and settled in 
N. Y.; learned the carpenter's trade; removed to Canada; thence 



496 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

to Mo.; thence to Clarence, Cedar county, la., and engaged in the 
lumber business. In 1873 he came to Crawford county and bought 
200 acres o£ land, and established his present business at Vail. He 
married Agnes Ferguson, a native of Scotland, in 1860. They 
have had four children, three of which died in 1877. Robert is 
engaged on the railroad. 

WEST SIDE. 

W. N. Becker, Jr., editor of the West Side Dispatch, established 
the paper in April^ 1881. It is republican in politics, and already 
has a large circulation. 

L. L. Bond, M. D., was born in Va.; moved to Wis. in 1818 
with his parents. He began the study of medicine in 1865, and 
graduated from the Rush Medical College in the class of '70, He 
hrst began the practice of his profession in Clinton county, la., 
and in 1875 came to West Side. 

Henry Greves, proprietor of livery stable and sample room, was 
born in Germany in 1819; came to America in 1869, and settled in 
Clinton county, la. He engaged in his present business at West 
Side in 1878. 

C. Haldane, attorney at law, is a native of England; came to 
America in 1873 and located in Crawford county, la*, where he 
engaged extensively in farming. In 1877 he moved to Carroll, 
and began the practice of the law. Two years later, he opened 
an office at W^est Side. 

E. C. Haywood, dealer in grain and stock, also agent for the 
Iowa Land Company, was born in England in 1841; came to Amer- 
ica in 1852 and settled in Clinton county, la., where he engaged in 
farming, also dealing in stock and machinery. He came to West 
Side in 1875, and in 1881 engaged in business as above. 

Albert Johnson, wagon-maker, is a native of Sweden; came to 
America in 1872 and engagedin wagon manufacturing, at Chicago, 
Came to Iowa in 1875 and engaged in present business; also has a 
branch establishment at-Manning. 

C. H. Langbehn, proprietor of Farmers' House and billiard hall, 
is a native of Germany; came to America in 1864 and settled in. 
Clinton county, la. In 1880 he came to West Side, and engaged 
in business as above. 

E. D. Mereness, foreman in I. B. Nelson's flouring mill, is a 
native of N. Y.; moved to Mich, in 1864; afterwards went to 
Chicago, where he was employed in the Oriental flouring mills. 
In 1870 he went to the Pacific coast and remained six years, then 
located at West Side, and has since been employed as above. 

C. E. Miller, banker, was born in Boone county, la., in 1855; 
moved with parents to 111. in 1858 and returned to la. in 1874. 
He engaged in the drug business and studied medicine, which he 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 497 

practiced at Arcadia for three years. In 1878 he came to West 
Side and engaged in the drug business^ until 1880, at which time 
he became proprietor of the Exchange Bank. 

J. H. C. Peters, of the firm of Peters & Suhr, lumber dealers, 
was born in Holstein, Ger., in 1846; came to America in 1870 and 
settled in Clinton county, la. He was engaged for several years as 
carpenter and builder in Chicago and various places in Neb. and 
la. In March, ISSl, he locattd at West Side and engaged in 
business as above. 

John Rohwer, dealer in general merchandise, is a native' of 
Germany; came to America in 1871 and settled in Clinton county, 
la.; came to West Side in 1875, and in 1880 engaged in business 
as above. 

W. L. Spottswood, postmaster, was born in Pa.; moved to Clin- 
ton county. la., in 1806 and engaged in the harness business. He 
moved to Harrison county; thence, in 1875, to West Side, and en- 
gaged in harness making. Was appointed postmaster in 1877. 

R. B. Taylor, of the firm of Taylor & Johnson, dealers in gen- 
eral hardware, is a native of 111.; moved to Ames, la., in 1869, 
and engaged in the mercantile business. He came to West Side 
in 1874, engaged in the drug business, and is now a member of the 
above named firm. 

Walz Bros., proprietors of the meat market, are natives of Ger- 
many. A. W. Walz came to America in 1869, and his brother 
came the next year. They located in 0.; removed to 111.; thence 
to Arcadia, la., and engaged in farming and stock raising; came 
to West Side in 1881, and engaged as above. 

DOW CITY. 

W. Beatty, M. D., is a native of Canada; came to Iowa in 1880 
and located at Dow City; engaged in the practice of medicine. He 
is a graduate of Toronto University and graduated from Trinity 
College m the class of '80. 

S. E. Dow, of the firm of Dow, Graves & Co., dealers in lumber, 
grain, stock and farm machinery, was born in N. H.; moved to 
Mich, in 1832 and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1852 he 
moved to Harrison county, la.; thence to Crawford county in 1855, 
and located near the present site of Dow City, In 1864 he moved 
into the city and engaged in stock and grain business. 

W. C. Hillas, dealer in general merchandise, was born in St. 
Albans, Vt. He went to sea when quite young and followed sail- 
ing for eighteen years. In 1860, he went to California, where he 
remained ten years, and then located at Dunlap. la., where he en- 
gaged in business with his brother. He came to Dow City in 1875 
and engaged in business as above. He has a very fine store and 
carries a large and complete stock. 



498 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

M. B. Lewis, postmaster aud druggist, is a native of Canada; 
came to the states in 18G3 and located at Red Wing, Minn., in 
1865. In 1874 he came to Dow City and engaged in the drug 
business. Was appointed postmaster in 1879. 

W. H. Morton, proprietor of the Dow City House, is a native of 
Ohio; moved to Rock county, Wis., in 1858; thence to Freeport, 
III., where he engaged in milling. He next moved to Linn county, 
la., and came to Dow City in 1879 and engaged as above. He in- 
tends building a new hotel during tke spring of 1882. 

T. J. Rasp, of the firm of T. J. Rasp & Co., dealers in general 
merchandise, is a native of Canada; came to Iowa in 1848 and set- 
tled near Davenport. He came to Dow City in 1875 and was em- 
ployed as book-keeper by Dow, Graves & Co., until engaging in 
business as above in 1881. 

W. V. Whaley, of the firm of Whaley & Bell, proprietors of 
the meat market and provision store, is a native of Ohio; came to 
Dow City, la., in 1874 and engaged in the stock business. In 
1879 he entered his present business. 

C. M. Wilder, proprietor of restaurant, was born in Ohio; moved 
to Iowa in 1854 and settled in Clayton county. In 1865 he came 
to Dow City and engaged in teaching until 1881, when he engaged 
in business as above. 




HISTORY OF IOWA. 499 



CARROLL COUNTY, 



This county, which is twenty-four miles square, and contains 
sixteen congressional or land survey townships, is the third east of 
the Missouri River, and in the fifth tier of counties, both from the 
northern and southern boundary of the State. 

Carroll is emphatically a prairie county, the entire ])ortion being 
composed of a gently undulating surface sufficiently rolling to 
break the monotonous sameness of the level plain, while to the 
westward of the Middle Raccoon River, the surface is more broken 
and uneven, in many places rising into hills of considerable promi- 
nence. The great watershed dividing the waters which flow into 
the Mississippi from those which flow into the Missouri passes 
through this county, and at the highest point is 858 feet above 
Lake Michigan and 800 feet above the Mississippi River at Clin- 
ton. From this summit can be obtained a fine view of the sur- 
rounding country, extending in every direction as far as the eye 
can reach. On the east and on the southeast is seen in the dis- 
tance the rich, fertile valley of the Raccoon River, on the south 
the unsurpassingly lovely country surrounding the Nishnabotny, 
and on the west the magnificent vale through which flows the 
Boyer. All of which in a clear summer's day afford scenery at 
once grand, beautiful and picturesque. 

Being situated upon the great dividing ridge or watershed, this 
county is watered and drained mostly by small streams which flow 
both into the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. The largest stream 
is the North Raccoon, which cuts across the northeast corner of 
the county, while the next two in importance are the Middle Rac- 
coon and Brushy Fork, which take their rise in the watershed divide 
in the northwest, and flowing nearly parallel from four to six 
miles apart in a southeast direction, make their exit near the south- 
east corner of the county. Storm Creek, a tributary of the Mid- 
dle Raccoon drains a large tract in the northern-central a^does the 
Willow Creek in the eastern border. The North Raccoon is deeply 
excatated into the drift deposit, and its valley is bordered by rather 
steep acclivities from seventy to one hundred feet in height, while 
the Middle Raccoon is bordered on the west by high bluffs capped 
slopes, and on the east by drift hills, which gain the interior 
heights by more gradual ascents. Brushy Fork possesses a beauti- 
ful valley with gentle acclivities on either side, as does the East 
Nishnabotany and Boyer River and Whitted's Creek, which are 
on the west side of the watershed divide. The upper couj-se of all 
of these streams are little more than diminutive prairie brooks, 
with gravelly beds, and clear, rapid currents, nuiny of those having 



500 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

their headwaters in the great divide interlocking, as it were, being 
separated by a narrow crest as sharply defined as a gable ridge. 
Springs issue from the gravel deposits along these water courses, 
furnishing them with an abundant supply of limpid, pure water at 
all seasons of the year. East of the Middle Raccoon River wells 
are easily obtained, while in the uplands west of that stream, those 
seeking water must go to a much greater depth, though the cer- 
tainty of finding a never-failing supply is just as good. 

In a shallow depression or plain below Carrolton, on th6 east 
side of the Middle Raccoon, several interesting spring mounds oc- 
cur, which have excited much attention and are described as fol- 
lows by Dr. White, in the Iowa State Geology: The plain is thirty 
or forty feet above the present level of the river, from which it is 
separated by a well-defined drift ridge, which, in places, rises into 
considerable knob-like eminences from one hundred to one hun- 
dred and fifty feet above the streams. The plain, however, com- 
municates with the valley both above and below, and was probably 
once the channel of the river. The spring mounds are situated 
along an irregular line more or less in the middle of the depres- 
sion; they are from four to six feet in height and as many yards 
in diameter, and are apparently entirely composed of vegetable mat- 
ter, forming a peaty deposit which is largely mixed with the exu- 
viae of shells and other animal remains. The crests of the mounds 
are covered with tall, rank flag or marsh grass, but upon the sides 
are usually two well marked bands of short herbage and moss en- 
circling the mounds and separated by a narrow belt of tall grass. 
The deposit of the vegetation upon these places is exceedingly in- 
teresting, though the mounds themselves, doubtless, owe their ori- 
gin to the existence of pools of water, indicating more or less ac- 
curately, the course of the former water channel, and which, being 
fed from higher sources, the tendency is what we observe — a 
gradual building up of a peaty formation. The surface of the 
plain beyond the limits of the mounds is perfectly level, and the 
deposit consists of decayed vegetable matter mixed with sand form- 
ing a sandy muck." 

Like that of Guthrie County, which lies on the great divide just 
southeast of Carroll, the soil of this county presents' two well 
marked varieties; that on the east side of the Middle Raccoon be- 
ing of the drift formation, is a gravelly loam of great strength 
and productiveness,while to the west of that stream the uplands are 
deeply enveloped in the bluff" formation, which has imparted to 
the soil of this portion of the county its own peculiar characteris- 
tics. Small groves of native timber are found on the principal 
streams; and in favorable locations, even upon the uplands, forests 
of young oaks are springing up. Some two or three small patches 
are met with in the valley of Brushy Fork, and between Raccoon 
Rapids and Carrollton; on the Middle Raccoon more extensive 
tracts are covered with a fine growth of vouns timber. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 501 

No beds of coal have as yet been discovered; though it is not 
deemed improbable, says Dr. White, that the coal-measure forma- 
tion underlies at least a portion of the county. The only speci- 
mens yet found have been discovered in digging wells and making 
other excavations, and are only small fragments associated with 
the loose material of the drift deposit. Peat is known to exist in 
several places in the county, some of which are of considerable ex- 
tent, and should they be found to be free from sand and gravel, 
they will eventually become of some value as a resource for fuel. 
Good building stone is not found within the limits of Carroll 
County, the cretaceous sandstone being too friable to answer for 
ordinary building purposes, except some of the harder layers, 
which are employed in laying up rough under-pinnings, in walling 
wells, etc. Material for the manufacture of brick is found in 
abundance, yet care is necessary in selecting clay in the western 
portion of the county, in consequence of the prevalence of calca- 
reous matter derived from the disintegration of the bluff deposits 
on the surface of the lower slopes. The lime thus mixed with the 
earth is converted into quicklime in the process of burning the 
brick, and on exposure to moisture the lime slakes and bursts the 
brick. 

Enos Buttrick made the first settlement in Carroll County in 
1S54, on section 2, township 84, range 33. Buttrick came from 
Greene County. The first election was held at the house of Henry 
Coplin, on section 12, township 82, range 34, on the first Monday 
of August, 1855, when the following county officers were elected: 
A. J. Cain, County Judge; Levi Thompson, Clerk; James White, 
Treasurer aud Recorder; Rtbert Lloyd. Surveyor; L. M. Curdy, 
Prosecuting Attorney; and J. Y. Anderson, Sherifl^". The county 
was organized by S. L. Loomis, July 16th, 1855, under a commis- 
sion from James Henderson, County Judge of Guthrie County. 
At this time the entire population was about 100. 

Jane L. Hill taught the first school in Carroll County, at Carrol- 
ton, in the spring of 1856, aud the first newspaper in the county 
was published at what is now Carroll City, by 0. H. Manning, the 
present Lieutenant Governor of the State, in 1868. The paper 
was called the Carroll Enterprise. It was printed at Jefferson, 
Green County, and issued to subscribers from Carroll. An associ- 
ation of citizens subsequently purchased a printing press and ma- 
terial, and brought it to Carroll, with results as indicated in that 
part of the history of Carroll City which relates to the news- 
paperial enterprises of the town. 

The Methodists organized the first religious society at Carrol ton. 
The first District Court was held November 23d, 1858, Hon. M. F. 
Moore, District Judge. The first grand jury were Cornelius Hig- 
gins, Benj. Teller, Matthew Borders, Lafayette McCurdy, Crocket 
Kibble, Robert Morris, William Short, Robert Dickinson, Elijah 
Puckett, C3TUS Rhoads, James Colco, David Scott, David Frazier, 



502 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Samuel Lyou and Amos Bacon. James Colco was appointed fore- 
man. First case on docket was Nehemiali Powers and John Wat- 
son vs. Cornelius Higgins. Noah Titus Avas the first person 
licensed to practice law in the county. 

The first marriage license was granted September IGth, 1855, to 
Joseph Ford and Sarah Ochempaugh. They were married September 
23d, 1856, by A. J. Cain. County Judge. First estate administered 
upon was Wesley H. Blizard's, May 3d, 1858. First administrator 
appointed was James H. Colco. The first deed was made by 
Thomas Ford to Nancy Ford, for the east half of section 17. town- 
ship 85, range 33, September 3d, 1855, and acknowledged by A. 
J. Cain, County Judge. 

The old Indian trail known as the AVar Path, or the dividing 
line between the Sioux and Pottawattamie Indians' hunting 
grounds, runs through townships 82, 83, 81:. and 85, range 36, in 
this county. It is plainly visible, and is as straight as an arrow. 
It was a death penalty for an Indian of one tribe to cross the 
path and be found hunting on the lands of the other. 

An early settler relates that an old Indian chief told him there 
was once a terrible Indian battle fought near Crescent Lake, about 
one mile south of Carroll Center, between the Sioux and Pottawat- 
tamie Indians. There had been a feud for a long time existing 
between the two tribes in regard to the infringement of the law 
in relation to the hunting grounds by disloyal Indians. The Sioux 
determined to exterminate the Pottawattamies. A large party of 
the latter were encamped near Crescent Lake, in the grove of 
timber. One morning a powerful party of the Sioux attacked 
them, and a terrible and bloody battle ensued, resulting in the 
death of all the Sioux warriors, and all but three of the Pottawat- 
tamies. The remains of the dead warriors were left to be eaten 
by the wolves, or rot, and their bones to bleach on the prairie, 
until the annual prairie fires consumed them. 

The vote of Carroll county for Governor in the State election of 
1881, was 2,219; its population, according to the census of 1880, 
was 12,351. It is now, undoubtedly, a low estimate to place the 
population of Carroll County at 15,000. 

It will be seen by the above that Carroll County is not only, 
with reference to its comparatively recent settlement, a populous 
one, but also that it possesses all the requisite elements that in- 
sure permanent and progressive prosperity. Its towns and other 
more especial features will be found to be described in detail as we 
progress with the development of its history. 

The present county officers of Carroll County are: Auditor, H. 
E. Russell; Clerk of Courts, W. Lynch, Jr.; Treasurer, W. R. 
Ruggles; Recorder, J. L. Messersmith; Sheriff, R. J. Hamilton; 
Superintendent of Schools, C. C. Colco; Surveyor, G. R. Bennett; 
.Chairman of Board of Supervisors, J. Thompson. 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 503 

CARKOLL CITY. 

AVhether or not first impressions are lasting, and whether or not 
first impressions are generally correct, are two questions which the 
Avriter cheerfully abandons to discussion by those who may be ar- 
gumentatively inclined. In so far as Carroll City is concerned, it 
is certainly true that the general appearance of this thriving town 
can not fail to favorably impress all who visit it, and that this im- 
pression is more than confirmed by careful investigation. Probably 
no town of its population in Iowa has so many extensive and sub- 
stantial business buildings as has Carroll City. A special corres- 
pondent of a leading Iowa journal, writing in the summer of 1880, 
has these things to say of Carroll City, to which, it may be pre- 
faced, the brief lapse of time since then, has added many things 
of gratifying importance: 

"It is seldom that the stranger has the pleasure of visiting a 
more interesting town tjian this, and when that privilege falls to 
his lot, there is but one sentiment to express and that is, astonish- 
ment — as so many evidences of thrift, prosperity, individual enter- 
prise, social and business advancement, and the general harmony 
that seems to prevail in all matters of public benefit. 

"A young city in the West is looked upon by eastern parties 
Avith a critical eye, and every advantage that a town possesses is 
carefully canvassed by those who contemplate locations for busi- 
ness enterprises, agricultural and stock pursuits, or manufacturing 
purposes. Carroll certainly possesses these, and many other ad- 
vantages are to be made apparent in this work. 

"So far as the country and railroad facilities are concerned, she 
has but few competitors in this section of the state. The sur- 
rounding country is of that nature which insures an everlasting 
and enviable local trade that can never be wholly cut off by rival 
towns; while the artificial strength given her by reason of the 
great trunk line that spans the vast territory on each side, and 
connects with competing lines in every direction, will be still 
more strengthened by the projected branch, extending from Car- 
roll in a southwesterly direction through Shelby and Pottawatta- 
mie Counties, either to a direct connection with the great Union. 
Pacific Railway, or, what is better, to Kansas City and St. Louis, 
thus giving these people an outlet for their stock, grain and pro- 
duce heretofore not enjoyed. At any rate the junction of these 
two lines, leading off through a most magnificent country, in differ- 
ent directions, bespeaks for Carroll a prosperity probably not an- 
ticipated by even her most sanguine business men." 

Another equally impartial historian, writing at a date five years 
earlier than the above, observes: "This town which is the county 
seat and the most important town in the county, is very pleasantly 
situted on the line of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, a lit- 
tle north of the center of the county, and is surrounded by a fer- 
tile farming country. It was laid out in August, 1867, and has 



501 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

since had a steady aud substautial growth; does a good retail busi- 
ness, and is the largest shipping point in the county. Good schools 
have been established; the leading religious denominations have 
organizations, and some of them commodious houses of worship. 
Being surrounded by a country having large agricultural resources, 
having good railroad facilities, and possessing a class of energetic, 
wideawake and experienced business men, who know how to make 
the best possible use of the advantages within their reach, Car- 
roll is destined at no distant day to become one of the important 
towns in the western part of the State. 

Carroll City was incorporated in 1869, 0. H. Manning, William 
Gilley and a Mr. Tracy being the Commissioners of Incorporation. 

The first municipal officers, under incorporation, were: I. N. 
Griffith, Mayor; B. B. Terry, Recorder; J. E. Griffith, Treasurer; 
Thomas Basler, Marshal; J. W. King, D. Wayne, F. E. Dennett, 
L, C. Bailey, William Boots, Councilmen. The present officers 
are: J. W. Scott, Mayor; A. E.. Smith, Recorder; J. W. Hatton, 
Treasurer; Samuel Todd, Marshal and Street Commissioner; W. L. 
Culbertson, N. Beiter, Charles Hamilton, J. P. McAllister, James 
Thompson, L. F. Anderton, Councilmen. 

I. N. Griffith opened the first general store, and Daniel Giff"ord 
the first furniture store, in 1868. The first grocery store was 
opened by D. Wayne. 

The first child born was Carroll Kidder, or " Carrie," as she was 
generally called, daughter of Mr. aud Mrs, A. L. Kidder. Mr. 
Kidder was the first Postmaster of Carroll. The family subse- 
quently moved to Utah. 

The Court House was built at Carroll City in 1869. It is a large 
two-story frame in the center of the public square. The Blair 
Town Lot and Land Company donated this square to the city. It 
is one of the most beautiful and eligibly located public squares in 
Western Iowa, and is thickly planted with finely growing trees. 
The Court House is well furnished with fire-proof vaults, but is in 
appearance the one blotch upon the beauty of an otherwise excep- 
tionally attractive little city, and it is gratifying to note that there 
is a probability of its giving wa}^ for a more creditable structure 
at no distant time. 

The population of Carroll City, according to the census of 1880, 
was 1,386; at present, there can not possibly be less than 1,700 in- 
habitants. The growth of the community, from the very nature 
of its surroundings, has been uninterrupted and permanent. 

On the 25th of September, 1879 a disastrous fire destroyed two 
entire blocks of buildings and part of a third block. Nothing 
daunted by this weighty calamity, building was immediately re- 
sumed, and in the place of the '"burnt district." massive and costly 
brick structures now attract the attention of the visitor. 

The first number of the Carroll Herald was issued September 
9th, 1868, aud was conducted by J. F. H. Sugg for about two 



HISTORY OF lOWV. 505 

years. He was succeeded by E. II. Hastirigs as editor and 0. H. 
Manning as proprietor. The paper was thus conducted about three 
years, when Mr. Hastings in connection with 0. II. (iray. now of 
the Jetterson Bee, leased the otfice, nnder the firm name of Has- 
tings & Gray. This firm subsecjuently purchased the establishment, 
and in April, 1877, Mr. Hastings became sole editor and proprietor. 
On the first day of January, 1882, Mr. Hastings leased a half- 
interest in the office to Ed. E. Adams, the firm now being Has- 
tings & Adams. The paper is a seven-column quarto, and has a 
bonafde circulation of 1,100. The Herald is a model of typo- 
graphical neatness, is conducted with unusual ability, and speaks 
volumes in each issue for the enterprise and prosperity of Carroll 
City and County. 

The Carroll Demokrat. a German weekly newspaper, was estab- 
lished in May, 1874, by Bowman & Burkhardt. In 1870, H. W. 
Hagerman bought the office, and in March, 1879, the Demokrat 
Printing Association, a joint-stock company, purchased the estab- 
lishment. The circulation of the ]iaper is about 900. It is pub- 
lished every Friday, and is one of the neatest German publications 
in Iowa. Francis Florencourt is the editor, and B. T. Knieft the 
publisher. 

The steam flouring mill, at Carroll City, has deservedly an ex- 
tensive reputation. It is well and substantially built, is two stories 
high with a basement, and has the latest and best machinery. 
The mill was started in the spring of 1875, and is managed by 
Brooks & Baumhover. 

There are two banks, each doing an i xtensive and profitable 
business, viz.: The Carroll County Bank, Patterson Bros., pro- 
prietors; Bank of Carroll, W. L. Culbertson, President; R. E. 
Coburn, Cashier. Both these banks o -ei ] y massive brick struc- 
tures. 

There were three brickyards in operation in the summer of 1881. 
all of which turned out brick of excellent quality. 

The postoffice of Carroll City was established in 1808. A. L. 
Kidder was the first Postmaster. He was succeeded by John W. 
King, and in 1873, E. II. Hastings, the present Postmaster, was 
appointed to the office. Under the management of Postmaster 
Hastings it has become one of the neatest and best equipped post- 
offices in Western Iowa. It is located in the Herald building, a 
fine brick block erected by Mr. Hastings and L. Barbee. The 
office was made a money-order office in 1872. 

The following is a classified summary of Carroll City's business 
establishments: General merchandise, eight; grocery stores, two: 
boots and shoes, two; clothing, two; hotels, six; restaurants, five; 
bakeries, two; hardware, four; agricultural implement depots, 
five; grain Avarehouses, two; stock dealers, three; livery barns, 
two; tiouring mill, one; millinery stores, three; jewelry, three; 
drug stores, three; grain elevators, two; banks, two; real estate 



506 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

agencies, five; insurance agencies, six; blacksmith shops, four; 
barber shops, two; lumber yards, two; coal dealers, three; wagon- 
shop, one; loan agencies, eight; merchant tailor, one; printing 
offices, two; brick-yards, three; architect^, one; paint shop, one; 
shoe-shops, three; saloons, six. There are thirteen attorn eys-at- 
law and seven physicians. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AKD SOCIETIES. 

The First Baptist Clnnrh of Car roll. --The church organiza- 
tion was effected March 31st, 1878. The society was incorporated 
.Tanviary 6tli, 1879, under the name of "The Society of the First 
Baptist Church of Carroll." Rev. E. B. Potter was the First pas- 
tor, Rev. Edgar Hatfield second, and Rev. J. E. Sanders, the pres- 
ent incumbent, third. The present membership is fifty-four. The 
church edifice was built in 1873 by a Congregational church so- 
ciety, and was the first Protestant church edifice erected in the 
count3\ It was occupied by tliat society 'until 1877, when nego- 
tiations took place between il'aii'd the Presbyterian church society, 
resulting in the dissolution o^ disba^iaing of the Congregational 
church organization. ,The eclific^;«was purchased by the Baptist 
society in 1878, and has be'tfn occupied by it ever since. Extensive 
repairs were made on t'he building in 1880. At the beginning of 
the Baptist organization there but nine members. The first regu- 
lar services were held in July, 1879; the Sabbath School was or- 
ganized at the same time. The present church officers are: Rev. 
J. E. Sanders, Pastor; Daniel Brainard, Alexander Dunphy, Dea- 
cons; H. S. Fisher, Clerk; W. L. Brockman, H. S. Fisher, Alexan- 
der Duraphy, Trustees: G. N. Dowd, Treasurer. The officers of 
the Sabbath School are: H. S. Fisher, Superintendent; Alexander 
Dunphy, Assistant Superintendent; Ada Elliott, Secretary and 
Organist; Lillie Hart, Librarian. The Sabbath School has a mem- 
bership of seventy-five. 

St. Joseph's Catholic Parish. — The present church edifice, which 
is beautifully situated on elevated ground, succeeded in 1877 a 
small structure in a lower part of the city. Services Avere held in 
the former building, from time to time only, by Rev. Father Kemp- 
ker, who also had charge of the Missions at Mt. Carmel, Roselle, 
Arcadia and Westphalia. In 1876,Father Pape succeeded Father 
Kempker, and resided at Carroll. He selected the present grounds, 
and built the new church. In 1880, he was succeeded by the pres- 
ent incumbent. Father John Urbany, under whose directions both 
the new school house and St. Anthony's Institute were built. The 
Rector's residence, north of the church, was begun in 1879, and 
completed in 1880. The church cost about $4,500, and the resi- 
dence about $1,600. The Parish numbers among its membership 
about 120 families, both English and German. Rev. Father Ur- 
bany took charge of the Parish in January, 1880, and in the sum- 
mer of the same year, made preparations for a parochial school, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 507 

which was completed late in the autumn, and opened under the 
management of the Sisters of St. Francis, from La Crosse, Wis- 
consin, with an average attendance of from 125 to 130. In the 
summer following, a handsome and expensive building, called St. 
Anthony's Institute, for the higher education of young ladies, was 
erected, south of the church and school, in the center of the block 
previously reserved for the purpose. St. Anthony's Institute is 
also conducted by the Sisters of St. Francis. Both educational 
structures are of brick. The four buildings, residence, church, etc., 
give a fine appearance to the southern part of Carroll City. 

The M. E. Church Society. — This society dates its organization 
from about the year 1868. Its present membership is nearly one 
hundred. The church edifice, was erected in 1873, cost about 
$3,000 and Avill seat 250 persons. Rev. Samuel Jones is the pres* 
ent pastor. The Sabbath School has an attendance of about one 
hundred pupils, H. W. -Macomber is the Superintendent. The 
church officers are: J. E. Archer, William Oldham, F. M. How- 
ard, J. E. Thompson,' "Stewards; H. W. Macomber, J. E. Thomp- 
son, William 01dha-m,€. A'TMcCune, J. R. Atkinson, A. E. Smith, 
John Silbaugh, Trustees. 

Preshijterian Church Society.^^Jley. Mr. Elliott was the first 
pastor of this society, vrhich was organized as long ago as 1867. 
There is a neat and commodious church edifice. Rev. T. S. Bailey 
is the present pastor. 

Carroll City Public Schools. — The first school house was built 
in 1869. It was a frame structure, 40x60 feet in dimensions, two 
stories high, and contained two departments. The present build- 
ing is a fine two-story brick structure, erected in 1880 at a total 
cost of about . $14,000. The following is the present corps of 
teachers: J. M. Paul, Principal; G. W. Wattles, Grammar De- 
partment; Miss Grace Brainard, Intermediate; Miss Cora Shober, 
Second Primary; Miss R. M. Armstrong, Primary. There is a 
total enrollment of 255 pupils, with an average attendance of 220. 
The Board of Education is as follows: A. E. Smith, William 
Lynch, W. W. Macomber, N. Beiter, J. W. Scott, H. C. Stephens. 
J. W. Scott is President of the Board; R. E. Coburn, Secretary; 
W. L. Culbertson, Treasurer. The citizens of Carroll are justly 
proud of the unusual educational advantages the community affords. 

Carroll Lodge No. 279, I. 0. 0. i^'. —Instituted April 16th, 
1872, with twelve charter members. H. E. Cole was the first 
Noble Grand. This Lodge has a membership of forty-four, and 
holds its meetings every Saturday evening in Odd Fellows'.Hall. 
The following are the present officers: S. P. Hart, N. G.;iC. 
Henderson, V. G.; W. L. Culbertson, Secretary; E. H. Brooks, 
Treasurer. 

EUsu-drth Encampment No. 72, I. 0.0. F. — Instituted in 
October, 1874. Charter members: J. W. Hatton, J. B. Cook,W. 
A. Moore, J. W. King. W. L. Culbertson, W. F. Stsigerwalt, S. 



50S HISTORY OF IOWA. 

M. Moore. First officers: W. L. Culbertson, C. P.; J. W. King, 
H. P.: W. F. Steigerwalt, S. W.; H. E. Cole, J. W.; J. W. Hat- 
ton, Scribe; S. M. Moore, Treasurer. Present officers: A. E. 
Smith, C. P.; J. W. King, H. P.: N. W. Ranger, S.^ W.; J. W. 
Hatton, J. W. and Treasurer; W. L. Culbertson, Scribe. The 
membership is twenty-one. Meetings are held on the first and 
third Monday evenings of each month. 

Carroll Lodge No. 198, A. 0. U. TT.— Instituted in July, 
1879. Charter members: James Thompson, C. L. Bailey, S. M. 
Towne, E. R. Hastings, Dr. Lane, S. Hoyt, C. A. Sawtelle, J. D. 
Lawrence, A. VV. Morford, A. A. Wider, C. Henderson, F.Snydan, 
J. Nockles, D. A. Holmes. First officers: C. L. Bailey, M". W.; 
James Thompson, P. M. W.; F. Snydan, S.; D. A. Holmes, F. S.; 
J. Nockles, T.; C. Henderson, 0.; J. D. Lawrence, F.; A. W. Mor- 
ford, W.; A. A. Wider, Gr. Present officers: J. Thompson, M. 
W.; C. L. Bailey, P. M. W.; J. D. Lawrence, F.; C. Henderson, 0.; 
F. Snydan, S.; J. Nockles, T.; A. A. Wider, G.; H. Fisher, W. 
Membership, twenty-two. Meetings are held every alternate 
Friday evening in the office of C. L. Bailey. 

Jejf'. C. Davis Post No. 44, (r. A. B. — This post was mustered 
in September, 1881. The membership is sixty-five. Meetings are 
held every alternate Thursday evening in Joyce's Hall. The 
officers of the Post are as follows: J, V. Cook, Commander; D. 
A.Cadworth,S.V.C.;C.L. Bailey, J. V. C; William Lynch, 
Adjutant; W. L. Culbertson, Quartermaster; J. W. Hatton. 
Surgeon. 

Signet Lodge Xo. 264, A. F. <£• A. M. — This was the second 
Lodge of the order instituted in Carroll County. The Lodge was 
organized in August, 1869. The charter members were: J. F, 
H.Sugg, John K. Deal, Wm. Gilley, L. C. Bailey, J. E. Griffith, 
L N. Griffith. Daniel Wayne, F. E. Dennett, R. Hogland. First 
officers: J. F. H. Sugg,'W. M.; J. E. Griffith, S. W.; Wm. 
Gillev, J. W.; F. E. Dennett, Secretary: John K, Deal, Treasurer. 
Present officers: J. W. Gerstine, W. M.; R. B. Coburn, S. W.; 
John Kelly, J. W.; John W. King, Secretary; H. W. Macomber, 
Treasurer. The present number of members is forty-seven. The 
Masons and Odd Fellows bought a lot and erected a two-story 
brick building on the north side of Fifth Street. The lower 
story is leased for a dry goods store. The second story, 22x80 feet, 
is used by the aforesaid fraternities. 

ARCADIA. 

Arcadia is from nine to ten miles west of Cairoll City, and is 
latterly taking on a new growth, which prom'ses to place it among 
the front rank of Western Iowa towns. It has always been a 
place of sure promise and certain groAvth, but with its recent hon- 
ors of incorporation "blushingly thick" upon it, the town iias 
taken the initiative steps in the direction of more rapid progress. 



il 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 509 

It is beautiful!}^ located, and in every respect adapted to the con- 
ditions of permanent advancement. Its exact location is upon 
section 16, township 84, range 3(3. As usual, along the line of the 
Chicago & Northwestern, the Blair Towy Lot and Land Company 
was its sponsor. 

I. N. Voris was the original town proprietor, and laid out Ar- 
cadia in 1871. He subsequently sold the townsite to the company 
named above. Mr. Voris is still a resident of Arcadia. 

The town is at the summit of the '"divide," and is the most ele- 
vated town topographically in the state. 

The first settlement of Arcadia was in the spring of 1871, when 
Mr. I. N. Voris built the first house. At this time Warren, Wash- 
ington, Arcadia and Wheatland townships were unorganized, being 
attached to Carroll. Mr. Voris was a resident of California, and 
while passing through Iowa, eastward, was attracted by the singu- 
lar beauty of Carroll County. Soon after, he returned from New 
York and purchased four thousand acres of land, including the site 
of Arcadia. This point was the summit or water divide in western 
Iowa, and trains doubled up and side-tracked here. Mr. Voris 
laid out the town and named it Arcadia, which took the place of 
the old railroad name of '"Tip-Top." Immigration began pouring 
in, the town and county grew rapidly, and to-day the bright antic- 
ipations of the early settlers have been realized. 

Low Lamson, now a resident of Chicago, came to Arcadia in 
1870, with Mr. Voris. In the same year D. J. McDougall settled 
in the southeastern part of Arcadia Township. He came to i\.r- 
cadia and taught the village school in the winter of 1873-4, after 
Avhich he located there permanently, engaging in the grain and 
stock business, in which he still continues. Henry Carpenter built 
the first store, and is the present Postmaster of Arcadia. Mr. 
Carpenter came in 1871. James Carroll, a well known grain and 
lumber dealer, located at Arcadia in 1873. The changing events 
of time have brought about the removal of a number of other pio- 
neers, whose names would otherwise be included. 

L. S. Stowe, a well known and enterprising citizen, opened the 
first drug store in Arcadia, in the spring of 1874, Avhich establish- 
ment has ever since continued to prosper under his proprietorship. 
His brother Michael was also one of the first merchants of the 
place, having opened a general store in the autumn of 1874. 

The firm of Weidling, Evers & Moore, of which B. H. Moore is 
the active manager, was established in 1877, and began an exten- 
sive trade in general merchandise, farm machinery, etc. In 1879, 
this firm erected a brick building, twenty-four by eighty feet, with 
a cellar extending throughout its dimensions, and thus formed the 
nucleus of a business which would be tjuite creditable to a town of 
many times the population of Arcadia. 

Arcadia was incorporated in the autumn of 1881, the following 
being the officers in pursuance of the incorporation: D. J. Mc- 



510 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Dougall, Mayor: F. A. Charles, Recorder; D. H.Moore, Treasurer; 
E. H. Agnew, Marshal; D. H. Moore, G. E. Hawk, C.H. West- 
brook, Claus Erp, Henry Ewaldt, Councilmen, 

The population of Arcadia, according to the census of 1880, was 
about 450; the present population claimed, is 600. 

In addition to the earlier settlers named above, were John 
Locke, now of West Side, and Henry Neiman, furniture dealer, 
with others, whom want of space forbids us to particularize. 

In 1880, a disastrous fire visited Arcadia, destroying nearly the 
whole business portion of the town, and leaving but two stores un- 
harmed, viz.: Weilding, Evers & Moore's and John L. McQuaid's. 
The work of re-building was immediately commenced, and the 
buildings destroyed were nearly replace4 during the autumn of the 
same year. 

The following is a classification of Arcadia's business enter- 
prises: Drug and book store, one; drug and grocery store, one; 
general merchandise, four; hotels, three; livery, one, bank, one; 
blacksmith shops, three; barber shop, one; millinery, two; meat 
market, one; hardware^ two; shoe shops, two; tailor, one; restaur- 
ants, two; furniture, one; undertaker^ one; lumber yards, two: 
agricultural implement depots, four; grain dealers, four; stock 
dealers, two; real estate and loan agencies, one; insurance agencies, 
two; job printing office, one; harness shop, one; wagon shops, 
two; brewery, one; coal yards, three; lawyers, two; physicians, 
two. 

Arcadia Postoffice was established in 1872, with I. N. Voris as 
Postmaster. H. C. Norton succeeded Mr. Voris, and Henry Car- 
penter, the present postmaster, was appointed to the office in 1874. 
He was succeeded two years afterwards, however, by J. B. Ben- 
son, but Avas again appointed in 1881. The office was made a 
money-order office in 1878. 

The Arcadia Bank was established in November, 1881. and does 
a thriving business. Louis li. Curran is the manager. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

TJie Pr.^b ijtcrian Clinrch Society. — Organized in the spring of 
1879, by Rev. T. S. Bailey, of Carroll. Rev. Mr. Eldfeldt is the 
present pastor. The church building was erected in 1879, is about 
fifty by twenty-four feet in dimensions, and cost -^1,400. The 
membership is about twenty-five. A Union Sabbath School is 
conducted by the Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal Societies, 
of which Henry Carpenter is the Superintendent. 

St. John's Ciitholic FarisJi. — In the spring of 1874, Rev. John 
Kempker, of Mt. Carmel, organized a Catholic Mission at Arcadia, 
services being held until the autumn of that year in James Carroll's 
warehouse, north of the railroad depot. In the autumn of 1874, a 
church edifice was built, which is 30x65 feet in dimensions. It is 
the intention of the congregation to erect a church edifice, begin- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 511 

iiiug in tlie autuinu of the present year. The proposed now struc- 
ture will probably be 45x120 feet in dimensions, will be built of 
brick, and will cost from ten to twelve thousand dollars, liev. 
Father Pape, now of. Dubuque, succeeded Father Kenipker, and 
Father Urbany. of Carroll City, came next. . The Arcadia mission" 
became a Pari.-h August 15th, 1881, and Kev. Father J. B. Fen- 
drich, the present Rector, was placed in charge of the growing 
congregation. The membership represents about 150 families, or 
a total of between 700 and 800 communicants. The parishioners 
are principally German, with a good representation of Irish, and 
services are held both in the German and English languages. 

The M. E. Church aS'oc/*'^//.— Organized in 1873, by Jiev. Mr. 
V^ail. The succeeding pastors were: Rev. Mr. Brady, Mr. Eckels, 
C. V. Martin, J, W. Lewis, John Jefferson, and John Elliott, the 
latter of whom is the present pastor. The church membership is 
about twenty-five. The society has no church building as yet. 

I'he German Lutheran Church. — Organized in 1877. The 
church building was erected in the spring of 1881, and is thirty by 
forty feet in dimensions. It cost about $1,200, and will seat 200 
persons. There are about twenty families represented in the 
society. Rev. Mr. Gulge Avas the first pastor. He was succeeded 
by Rev. Mr. Schug, and the latter by the present .pastor, Rev. Mr. 
Meineke. 

The Public Schools.— The first school in Arcadia was taught in 
the winter of 1872-3, by a Mr. Hildebrand, who was succeeded by 
a Mr. Deal. D. S. McDougall was the next teacher, in the winter 
of 1873-4. The first school building was a one-story frame, which 
was enlarged in the summer of 1881, and is now a large building 
of three departments. An election to determine the question as 
to the organization of an independent district is to be held in 
March of the current year. The total enrollment is 130; average 
attendance, about seventy-five. The present corps of teachers is 
as follows: 0. L. Bronson, Principal; Miss Minnie Sherman, In- 
termediate; Miss Lizzie Carroll, Primary. 

St. John's Parochial School. — This school was organized in the 
latter part of February, l882. Miss Annie Middendorf is the 
teacher. At present there is but one department. An additional 
department will be shortly made. The attendance of pupils will 
be from fifty to sixty in number. 

German Lutheran School. —This school was established in the 
winter of 1881-2, has a goodly membership, and is taught by the 
resident pastor of the German Lutheran Church. 

Arcadia Literary Society. — This society was begun in the win- 
ter of 1881. Meetings are held every Friday evening during the 
appropriate season, in the school house. The membership is about 
forty. 



512 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

GLIDDEN. 

The town of Giiddeu is jDicturesque attractive, prosperous and 
progressive. It is situated in the eastern part of Carroll County, 
and is surrounded by a country that for fertility of soil is not sur- 
passed in Western Iowa. The country naturally tributary to 
Glidden, has a radius of not less than twenty-tive miles, and the 
merchants of Glidden are exceedingly well pleased with their loca- 
tion. The town is well drained, and having good roads reaching 
out out in every direction, and an inexhaustible soil, there is no 
reason why Glidden should not become one of the most important 
towns in Western Iowa. 

Glidden's artificial strength is principally derived from that 
great trunk line, the Chicago & I^orthwestern Railway, the man- 
agement of which does not dictate a policy detrimental to the in- 
terests of towns along its line of road, but, on the contrary offers 
the best shipping facilities and the lowest rafes possible. As a 
natural consequence hundreds of cattle, horses and hogs are brought 
here from every direction to be shipped over the road that seems 
to have adopted the motto "live and let live." At no distant day 
the people of Glidden anticipate a cross road connecting with 
north and south lines, which will give them competing advantages 
of a superior nature. 

From an esthetic point of view is this beautiful town, environed 
with pretty suburban farms, groves and orchards, embellished in 
every quarter with elegant houses, tasteful lawns, many columns 
of forest trees that are fast turning the streets and avenues into 
arcades of living green. One meets evidences of social refine- 
ment on every hand. The city schools are in splendid condition 
and happily are its special pride. 

As a business point Glidden is in the front rank of Iowa's enter- 
prising towns. Its merchants do a thriving business, on a scale 
of unusual magnitude. 

The population of Glidden is not less than 700, and its increase 
is continuous and uninterrupted. The town was laid out in 186(), 
and is a shippiug point for a large district of country. 

The following is a classified summary of the business establish- 
ments: General stores, five; grocei-y stores, two; confectionery, 
etc., three; hotels, two; blacksmith shops, two; wagon shop, one; 
barber shop, one; hardware, two; agricultural implement depots, 
three; lumber yards, two; coal dealers, two; grain dealers, four; 
grain warehouse, one; insurance agencies, one; real estate agen- 
cies, two; printing office, one; shoemakers, two; saloons, three; 
furniture, two: drug stores, three; jewelry, one; bank, one; mil- 
linery, three; livery, two; stock dealers, two; artist, one. 

The Glidden Steam Flouring Mills were started about three 
years ago. The building is three stories high, and the quality of 
flour manufactured has justlj^ achieved a most desirable reputation. 
The firm name is Messmore & Co. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 513 

The (Hidden Express was started in 187.5, with E. Tabor as ed- 
itor and proprietor. Subsequently I. S. Russell became editor and 
proprietor. The paper is a five-column quarto, and is now called 
the GUdden Sentinel. The Glidden Neivs Botj was started in 1881, 
by Cappie Holmes, editor and proprietor. It is a five-column 
quarto, independent in politics. Cappie Holmes is a son of Prin- 
cipal Holmes, of the Glidden Public Schools. 

The (rlidden Bank, of which G. H. Stalford is the ])roprietor, is 
a staunch and progressive institution, doing a large and increasing 
business. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Tlw Presbyterian ClnirrJi Society.- -This society has a hand- 
some edifice, which was erected in 187-1, at a cost of ^1,2(X). The 
building is nicely furnished. The society dates its organization 
from 1870. Services were held in the school house prior to the 
erection of the church building. 

'The M. E. Church Society. — This society erected its present 
and commodious edifice in 1877, at a cost of about $1,200. Ser- 
vices were held in the Presbyterian church prior to the erection of 
the society's present building. 

The Public Schools. — The independent school district of Glid- 
den was organized in 1875. The first school building in the town 
Avas erected in 1869, or thereabouts, and was subsequently sold to 
G. H. Stalford. It is now used for business purposes, with a 
public hall in the upper story. The present school house was 
built in 1877, the total cost, improvements included, being from 
seven to eight thousand dollars. There are four departments, 
besides a large hall on the third floor, which will seat from three 
to four hundred persons. This building is of frame, with brick 
veneering, and is located in the east side of town, Avith a command- 
ing situation. 

Philo Lodge No. 301,1. 0. 0. F.— This Lodge was instituted in 
1874, Avith about tAventy charter members. Meetings are held 
every Tuesday eA'eniug in Odd FelloAvs' Hall. The folloAving are 
the present officers: G. W. McNaught, N. G.; James Campbell, 
V. G.;T. R. Rich, Secretary; Geo. T. Chambers, Treasurer. 

Hagyi Lodge, 369, A. F. c& A. il/.— This Lodge meets every 
Saturday evening of each month, on or before the full moon. D. 
N. Smith is W. M.; A. J. Morrill, Secretary. 

Hope Stone Lodge No. 78, B. A. M.— Meetings are held every 
Tuesday evening of each month on or before the full moon. N. 
D. Thurman is H. P.; P. H. Hawkins, Secretary. The various 
secret organizations of Glidden are all in a condition of gratifying 
prosperity. 



511 HISTORY OF IOWA, 



CARROLL COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



CARROLL CITY. 

L. T. Anderson, harness manufacturer, is a native of Denmark; 
came to America in 1867 and located in Story county, la.; moved 
to Hamilton county; thence to Carroll county in 1878 and engaged 
in present business; deals in all kinds of harness and horse fur- 
nishings. 

W. Artz, dealer in grain and stock, is a native of 111.; moved to 
Carroll county in 1870, and engaged in mercantile business in Car- 
roll in 1871, which he continued until engaging in present busi- 
ness. He has been treasurer of the county. 

Wm. H. Bunch, barber, was born in 111. in 1848; moved to Car- 
roll, la., in 1881 and established his present business. 

R. D. Backus, dentist, was born in Madison county, N. Y.; in 
1860, he moved with parents to la.; came to Carroll in 1880 and 
established business; has a very fine office. 

Thos. F. Barbee, attorney at law, is a native of Ky.; moved to 
Rock Island, 111., and in 1878 came to Carroll, la., and opened his 
present law business. 

N. Beiter, proprietor of meat market, is a native of Germany; 
came to America in 1S6G and settled in Ra.; thence moved to Ce- 
dar county, la., in 1870, and to Carroll in 1874 and engaged in pres- 
ent business. 

J. L. Bowdish, insurance agent, is a native of 111.; came to Car- 
roll in 1873; is justice of the peace, also notary public. He erected 
a fine brick block in 1881, now occupied by a clothing store. 

E. H. Brooks, of the firm of Brooks & Baumhover, proprietors 
of the Carroll Steam Mills, was born in N. Y.; moved to 111. in 
1858; thence to Clinton, la.; and came to Carroll in 1870 and en- 
gaged in lumber business, until Aug., 1877, when he engaged in 
milling. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day 
and employs eight men. 

Col. John B. Cook, dealer in agricultural implements, is a na- 
tive of Mass. He served in the army during the late war, after 
which he settled in the South. He moved to Carroll, la., in 1871 
and engaged in his present business. 

Joseph M. Drees, attorney at law, was born in Boston, Mass., in 
1849; removed to Dubuque, la., in 1858; thence to Carroll in 1873. 
He studied law with 0. H. Manning, lieutenant governor, and was 
admitted to the bar in Sept., 1879. He is also engaged in the in- 
surance business and is agent for a German line of steamers. 



HreroRY OF IOWA 515 

H. T. Emeis, M. D., is a native or£ 111.; moved to Scott county, 
la. in 1856. He graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College 
in 1868, and came to Carroll in May, 1881. 

H. F. Flinn, jeweler, is a native of 111.; moved to Gilman, Wash- 
ington county, la., in 1876; thence to Carroll in the autumn of 
the same year, and engaged in his present business. 

W. E. Folkens, proprietor of the City Billiard Hall, is a native 
of Germany; came to America in 1858 and settled in 111.; thence 
to la. in 1809 and located in Grundy county, and came to Carroll 
in 1874, and engaged in his present businesss in 1878. 

I. W. Griffith, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Va. 
in 1813; moved to 0. when quite young, and in 1844 came to la. 
and settled in Henry county, near Mt. Pleasant, and engaged in 
farming. He removed to Mahaska county; thence to Marshall 
county, where he engaged in milling. He subsequently came to 
Carroll and established the first store in the new town. 

Wm. Gilley, is a native of Pa.; moved to 0. with parents. He 
moved to Iowa City, la., in 1854 and to Carroll county in April, 
1856, and engaged in farming; moved into Carroll in 1868; was 
county treasurer at that time. He has been engaged in banking 
and mercantile pursuits until a few years since, when he retired 
from business. 

J. W. Gustine, M. D., was born in Pa. in 1822. He began the 
practice of medicine in Pittsburg in 1848, and moved to Iowa in 
1854; two years later he located in Guthrie county, where he en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine, until 1875 then he moved to 
Carroll and opened an office. 

P. M. Guthrie, dealer in real estate, was born in County Clare, 
Ireland; came to America in 1848, and located in Mich, and en- 
gaged in railroad contracting until 1854, when he moved to Du- 
buque, la.; thence to Carroll in 1869 and engaged in present busi- 
ness. He is agent for the Iowa Land Co. 

R. J. Hamilton, sheriff of Carroll county, was born in Clinton 
county, la., in 1845; lived on a farm until coming to Carroll county 
in 1875, where he engaged in blacksmithing. He was elected to 
his present office in Oct., 1881. 

C.Henderson, proprietor of the dray line, is a native of 111.; 
moved to Carroll in 1872 and engaged in his present business. 

H. C. Haywood, merchant and postmaster, at Elba, Carroll 
county, was born in Addison county, Yt.; moved with parents to 
Scott county, la., in 1850; thence to Carroll county and engaged 
in farming until appointed postmaster in 1878. 

F. J. Kriebs, M. D., was born in Clayton county, la.; graduated 
from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in the class of 1881, and be- 
gan the practice of medicine at Carroll the same year, and is 

eady in the enjoyment of a good practice. 



516 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Louis Keckevoet, dealer in general merchandise, is a native of 
Germany; came to America in 1861 and settled in Ind.; remoTed 
to Dubuque, la., in 1870 and came to CairoU in 1875 and engaged 
in present business; lie also has a general store at Hillsdale, this 
county. 

Wm. Lynch, clerk of the courts of Carroll county, was born in 
Scotland in 1841; came to America with his parents and settled in 
N. Y.; removed to Pa. thence to la. in 1850. He enlisted in 
1862, and was soon afterwards appointed hospital steward of the 
31st Mo. regiment, and served until the close of the war. He 
then located at Carthage, 111., and engaged in the drug business; 
remained there until 1809, then removed to Carroll and again en- 
gaged in the drug business. He was elected to his present office 
in 1875, and has held it ever since. 

F. M. Leibfried, deputy county treasurer, is a native of Md.; re- 
moved to Wis. in 1850; thence to Carroll, Li., in 1879. He was 
appointed deputy treasurer by Mr. Artz, and re- appointed by Wm. 
Ruggles in 1882. 

S. M. Moore, dealer in general groceries and confectionery, is a 
native of Ind.; came to la. in 1869 and engaged in farming in 
Carroll county until 1875, then engaged in his present business. 

M. Miller, druggist, is a native of Germany; came to America in 
1857, and located at Dubuque, Iowa, and engaged as traveling 
agent for Honick & Walls, of Sioux City. He engaged in his 
present business at Carroll, in 1881, is wholesale and retail 
dealer in drugs and liquors. 

J. L. Messersmith, recorder of Carroll county, is a native of Pa.; 
moved to Carroll in 1875 and engaged in wagon making. He was 
elected to his present office in 1876, and has been re-elected every 
term since. 

F. M. Powers, of the firm of Powers & Powers, attorneys-at 
law, is a native of N. Y. City: moved with parents to Blackhawk 
county, la., in 1857, graduated from the Iowa law school in 1877, 
and began the practice of law at Independence. He came to Car- 
roll in 1880, and opened an office. The firm also do a loan and 
real estate business. J. M. Powers, of the above firm, was born in 
Cincinnati, 0., removed with parents to Blackhawk county, la., 
in 1857. He graduated from the Iowa Law School in 1879, and 
has since been in partnership with his brother. 

Geo, W. Paine, attorney at law, also does abstract, loan and in- 
surance business. He was born in Duchess county, N. Y., in 
1828. He first engaged in the practice of law at ' Poughkeepsie, 
in 1819; moved to New York City in 1860, and practiced there 
until opening an office in Carroll, la., in 1872. 

J. A. Rohner, photographer, was born in Erie county, N. Y.; 
moved to Fremont, 0., in 1867; thence to Chicago, 111., two years 
later, and was employed there and in other cities in the west in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 517 

the photograph business, until 1878, when he located at Carroll, 
la., and engaged in business. He was burned out in 1879, and 
was absent for a year; returned in 1881 and engaged in present 
business. 

Abram Raught, proprietor of the Commercial House, was born 
in St. Lawrence county, N. Y.; moved to Neb. in 1873 and en- 
gaged in the hotel business; returned to N. Y., afterwards moved 
toKnoxville, la.; thence to Carroll and opened his present house, 
which is situated near the depot, and is a first-class house. 

S. S. Sprague, proprietor of meat market, was born in Pitts- 
burg, Mass.; moved to 111. in 185G; thence to Carroll, la., in 1870 
and engaged in present business. 

August Stark, insurance agejit, is a native of Germany; came to 
America in 1861 and enlisted in Co. G, 57th, III. Vol.,Avas with 
Gen. Sherman in his march to the sea, and various; other places. 
He served until Aug. 15th, 1865, and then settled in 111. and en- 
gaged in farming; in 1875 came to Carroll, la., and engaged in 
pfesent business; was burned out in 1879, but started business 
again soon after. 

C. B. Smith, agent for the C . & N. W. R. R. Co., at Car- 
roll, la., is a native of New York; when quite young moved to 
Wheaton, 111 . He entered the employ of the above company and 
in 1871 was located at West Side, la. He came to this city in 

1881. 

.I.E. Thompson, dealer in groceries, is a native of 0. : moved 
to Scott county, la., in 1851, and engaged in farming. In 187(> 
came to Carroll and engaged in his present business, as wholesale 
and retail dealer injgroceries and queensware. 

J. W. Thomas, cashier of the Carroll County bank, is a native 
of England; came to America in 1873, settled in la. and en- 
gaged in farming until 187(5, when he assumed his present posi- 
tion. The bank changed hands in 1881, but Mr. Thomas was 
retained as cashier. 

R. R. Woodring & Co. . wholesale and retail dealers in furni- 
ture, also manufactiirersr This firm is composed of R. R. 
Woodring,!. N. Force and D. Burkhart. They do an exten- 
sive business in their line, and are one of the leading furniture 
firms in Carroll county . 

A. L. Wright, M. D., is a native of Wis.; graduated from 
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1874. He located at Carroll, la., 
the same year, and has established a large and lucrative practice. 



518 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

ARCADIA. 

F. A. Charles, attorney at law, was born in 111.; moved to la. in 
1865 and located at Iowa City, in 1876 he ensja^ed in the practice 
of law in Jackson county and in 1877 came to Arcadia. Was 
elected City Attorney in 1881. 

Peter Clausen, proprietor of billiard hall, is a native of Ger- 
many. He came to Arcadia, la., in 1874, and engaged in his pres- 
ent business. 

Henry Carpenter, postmaster, was born in N. Y.; moved to 111. 
when quite young and in Aug., 1862 enlisted in Co. H, 105th 111. 
Reg. He served until the close of the war, then returned to 111. 
He came to Arcadia and built the first store building in the place. 
In 1874 he was appointed postmaster; he resigned in 1876 and was 
re-appointed in 1881. 

Erp Bros., dealers in general merchandise, are natives of Ger- 
many; came to America in 1873 and settled in Iowa in 1875. 
They established their present business in 1881. Carry a large 
stock of general merchandise, and boots and shoes, also deal in 
coal and grain. 

Henry Ewoldt, proprietor of Ewoldt's hall and sample room, was 
born in Holstein, Ger.; came to America in 1864 and settled in 
Scott county, la. In 1877 he engaged in his present business in 
Arcadia. 

Thomas Fay, proprietor of saloon, is a native of 111.; moved to 
Clinton county, la., in 1867;- thence to Arcadia in 1877 and en- 
gaged in saloon business. 

E. S. Lovely, general hardware dealer, is a native of Canada; 
moved to Carroll county, la., in 1873 and engaged in farming, un- 
til 1878, then went to Omaha, Neb., and ^entered the Western 
Business College; remained one and one-half years, then located 
at Arcadia, la., and engaged in the drug business. He subse- 
quently engaged in business as above. 

Henry Lahann, proprietor of the shooting gallery and saloon, is 
a native of Germany; came to America in 1856 and settled in Clin- 
ton county, la. He came to Arcadia in 1880 and engaged in his 
present business. 

D. H. Mohr, of the firm of Weidliug, Evers & Mohr, is a native 
of Denmark; came to America in 1853 and settled in Davenport, 
la. In 1867 he engaged in the mercantile business at Wheatland. 
Afterwards came to Arcadia and entered the above named firm. 

H. W. Pruter, dealer in dry goods and groceries, was born in 
Germany in 1860; came to America in 1875 and located at West 
Side, la. He engaged in farming for two years and then returned 
to his native country. In 1878 he came again to Iowa, and settled 
in Arcadia. In 1881 he engaged in business as above. 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 519 

Heiiriino; I Vtersen, proprietor of saloon and billiard hall, was 
born in Germany in 1827; came to America in 1865 and settled in 
('linton county. la.; removed to Pottawattamie county; thence to 
Arcadia. Established present business in 1873. 

L. S. StoU, druggist, was born in Strasburg, France, in 1847; 
came to America in 1855 and settled in Dubuque county, la. He 
engaged in clerking in a drug store at the age of fifteen. In 1870 
he engaged in business for himself at Dyersville, and four years 
later came to Arcadia, where he established business as above. He 
is also a practicing physician. 

Frank Weber, proprietor of meat market, was born ia Prussia 
in 1848; came to America in 1873 and located at Portage, Wis. 
He moAed to Carroll county, la., in 1875 and two years later came 
to Arcadia and engaged in the meat business. 

GLIDDEN. 

L. A. Cushman, barber, was born in DeWitt, Clinton county, 
la. ; moved to Glidden, in 1881 and established his present busi- 
ness- 

T- A. Cochran, collection and real estate agent, is a native of 
0. ; moved to Polk county, Ta., in 1854; thence to Green county 
and in 18G4 to Carroll county and engaged in teaching school. 
Moved to Glidden in 1878 and opened an office. 

J. Coder, of the firm of Dickey & Coder, dealers in general mer- 
chandise, is a native of 0.; moved to Carroll county, la., in 1868 
and engaged in farming and teaching school until 1878, then 
entered present firm . 

Thos. Elwood, M. D., was born in N- Y. City; moved to 
Dallas county, la., ni 1858. He enlisted in 1862 in the 39th la. 
regiment; went to Corinth, Miss., as hospital steward, and re- 
mained until the close of the war; returned to la. and settled in 
Carroll county, and began the practice of medicine; was elected 
county probate judge in 1867, which office he held three years, 
and county recorder from 1866 to 1868. 

W. E. Foster, of the firm of Foster Bros., druggists, is a native 
of 0.; moved to Glidden. Ia., in 1877 and engaged in the drug busi- 
ness in 1880. 

N. G. Guild, proprietor of the Glidden House, was born in N. 
Y. in 1833; moved to lied Wing, Minn., in 1862 and engaged in 
farming and stock raising; thence to Glidden, la., in 1870 and en- 
gaged in present business. 

H. H. Gates, M. D., was born in Ivutland county, Yt.; moved to 
la. in 1855 and settled in Scott county; removed to Jones county 
later. He entered the army as hospital steward; was promoted to 



520 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

the position of surgeon of the 31st la. Reg. in 1SG3 and served un- 
til the close of the war, then returned to Jones county and in 1860 
moved to Glidden and engaged in the practice of medicine. 

C. I. Huiman, of the firm of Huiman & Reach, attorneys at law, 
is a native of 0.; came to Boone county, la., in 1853 and engaged 
in school teaching. He served as superintendent of schools one 
term and graded the schools of Glidden. He graduated from Grin- 
ell College, la., and begun the practice of law in 1876 with pres- 
ent partner; they also do insurance and collection business. 

J. A. Holmes, principal of the Glidden schools, is a native of N. 
Y.; moved to Glidden, la., in 1880 and engaged in his present oc- 
cupation. He also deals in stationery, books and confectionery. 

The Glidden Xeics-Boij, aAveekly newspaper published by Cop- 
pie Holmes, was established in 1880, when Coppie was but twelve 
years old. At first it was a four-page paper six by nine inches in 
size, but it has steadily increased in size and patronage and now 
(in 1882) it is a six-column quarto. The publisher does all the 
work upon the paper and considerable job work besides. He has 
put the receipts for advertising, etc., into theoflice and can now do 
good job work. He is the youngest publisher of a regular new^s- 
paper in la. and perhaps in the world; the newspaper press have 
given him many flattering notices. 

C. 0. Hood, M. D., is a native of Ind.; graduated from the medi- 
cal departmeat of the Butler University in the class of '79, and lo- 
cated at Glidden in 1880 and engaged in the practice of medicine. 

G. W. Pai'sons, proprietor of barber shop and news depot, is a 
native of 0.; located at Glidden, la., in 1878 and engaged in his 
present business. 

W. E. Potter, of the firm of Potter & Armitage, hardware deal- 
ers, was born in Oneida county, N. Y.; removed to the eastern part 
of la. in 1858, thence to Glidden in 1868 and engaged in farming; 
engaged in his present business in 1879: J. P. Armitage became a 
partner in 1880. 

0. G. Prill, of the firm of Prill Bros., dealers in general grocer- 
ies, is a native of Ind.; came to la. in 1875 and engaged in the 
above business in Nov., 1881. 

F. G. Rust, insurance agent, is a native of Wis.; moved to la. in 
1881, and settled in Glidden and engaged in his present business. 

1. R. Sale, M. D., was born in Ind., he studied medicine there 
several years; he then graduated from the Kentucky School of 
Medicine in 1881 and came to Glidden in Dec. of the same year 
and took charge of the established practice of Dr. Dunkle. 

R. E. Spurrier, druggist and station agent, is a natiA^e of 0.; 
moved to Iowa county, la., in 1853, thence to Glidden in 1880 and 
took charge of the station and purchased the drug business of M. 
S. Dunkle, M. D. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 521 

D. N. Smith, dealer in lumber and coal, is a native of Carroll 
county, N. H, He enlisted in 1861 in the U. S. sharpshooters, 
served three years in Va, and then returned to N. H.; moved to 
111. in 1877 and the following year to Glid-ien, la., and engaged in 
his present business. 

Geo. H. Stalford, banker, is a native of Pa.; came to la. in the 
spring of 1869 and engaged in farming, returned to Pa, in 1870 
and remained three years; thence to la. again and engaged in the 
lumber and grain business; engaged in the banking business in 
Feb., 1877. 




33 



522 • HISTORY OF IOWA. 



SAC COUNTY, 



The population of this county by the census of 1S80 was 9,300, 
but it is now estimated at over 11,000. This increase is partially 
due to a narrow gauge railway (a branch of the Wabash) which is 
in process of construction, and which will run across the county, 
passing through Sac City, thus giving additional shipping and 
traveling facilities to the people of the county. Depot grounds for 
the road have been laid out near the court house in the city named. 

As stated elsewhere a complete list of the county officers from 
date of the organization of the county to present date is not ob- 
tainable, but the following are the present officers: Treasurer, 
Philip Schaller; Auditor, A. D. Peck; Sheriff, H. L. Willson; Clerk 
of Courts, Chas. E. Lane; Recorder, N. B. Flack; Superintendent 
of Schools, H. T: Martin; Surveyor, Chas. Pettis; Supervisors, 
Wm. Hawks, Chairman; H. Reinhart, Peirce Coy. 

The general history of Sac County can probably be presented in 
no better shape than as we give it in the following extract from 
a well-written article, published in the Sac Suu, of Sac City, De- 
cember 24:th, 1880: 

" The immense emigration from the Eastern and East Central 
States which has for the past two or three years rapidly settled up 
the lands of Kansas and Nebraska, has during the past two years 
been diverted to a great extent to the more certainly productive 
agricultural lands of Northw^estern Iowa. Many more of these 
home-seekers might have been induced to settle in this section had 
the Iowa people and the Iowa government sooner awakened to the 
fact that so many thousands of good citizens were passing through 
Iowa to lands farther from market, and by no means so valuable 
as those which Iowa had to offer, and all because the Kan- 
sas and Nebraska lands were assiduously advertised, while 
those of Iowa lay undefended under the slanders men- 
tioned in the appended letter. The General Assembly, however, 
to remedy this evil, appointed Hon. Geo. D. Perkins, of the Sioux 
City Journal, to the office of Commissioner of Immigration for 
Iowa, and appropriated a considerable sum for the promotion of 
immigration to this State. Read what Governor Campbell says: j 

Newton, Iowa, June 15th, 1880. 
Hon. Geo. D. Perkins., Commissioner of Immigration for Ion a: 
Dear Sir: Your invitation to the immigration convention at 
Sheldon, June 22d, received on my return home from an extended 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 523 

trip east. I fully realize the iiuj)ortance of the convention, and 
the great interests to be considered, and I assure you my hearty 
sympathy goes out toward any effort that will tend to direct public 
attention to your beautiful country and fertile soil, and point the 
tens of thousands of homeless ones to that fair country that 
offers such splendid advantages for permanent homes and pros- 
perous futures. During m}^ visit east I had occasion to ''talk up" 
north Avestern Iowa in several localities, and I found: 

1. A total ignorance of the fact that so large a territory in Iowa 
lies open yet to settlement, the impression having obtained that a 
State with over a million and a half of population must be well 
settled np. 

2. I found the 'old grasshopper still sitting on the sweet potato 
vine,' in the prejudices of many, and it was only a work of a mo- 
ment to convince them that the 'grasshopper' was long since a 
Mead issue' in any portion of Iowa. 

3. The terrible storms and daily hurricanes of wind were held 
up before me. and I told them they were more a native of Missouri 
or even of Ohio, than of northwest Iowa, and that the settlement of 
our State, the planting of groves, etc., had very materially ameli- 
orated the climate. 

These are only a few of the objections urged, but among the most 
weighty, and I name them that you may see the objections that 
obtain in various quarters. There are tens of thousands in the east 
Avho would be glad to find homes in Northwestern Iowa, were they 
fully acquainted with the true condition of affairs, climate, soil, 
prices of land, terms, etc. With thanks for your invitation, and 
regret that I cannot be present, I am your well-wisher and friend, 

Fra>'k T. Campbell. 

"This sketch is intended principally as a pen-picture of Sac 
County as it now is, and will include a short outline of its history 
and a few incidents of the life of the early settlers. 

'' The soil of Sac County is a deep black loam, and in its nature is 
purely a vegetable decomposition. Its depth is from eighteen 
inches to five or six feet. In some parts of the county the surface 
is almost perfeetly level for long distances, but in general it is of 
the genuine 'rolling prairie' description. The inexhaustibility of 
the soil is shown by the fact that farms which have been under cul- 
tivation for from twenty to twenty-five years are now as fertile and 
productive as ever. More than that— the land may be plowed here 
when it is so wet that it is almost impossible to do work, and it will 
never hake. 

" As regards the productiveness of Sac County, perhaps as 
effective a way of showing whether the detractors of North- 
western Iowa, mentioned in Governor Canipl)eirs letter, are 
right or wrong, will be to give to our readers the benefit of some 
of the observations of the Hon. Eugene Criss, a pioneer and resi- 
dent of Sac County for more than a quarter of a century. Judge 



624 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Criss says that his average yield of corn in his twenty-five 3^ears' 
residence has been from forty to fifty bushels to the acre, and the 
highest yield he has ever had was sixty-five bushels. Average yield 
of oats, forty to fifty; highest yield, seventy-six bushels. Average 
yield of wheat, fifteen to eighteen; highest yield, thirty bushels. 
This is his personal experience, and with fair cultivation only — no 
fancy farming; that he knows of at least two of his neighbors who 
have raised as high as forty bushels of Avheat to the acre. Others, 
too, have raised, in more than one neighborhood in the county, 
from seventy to eighty bushels of corn per acre, and, it is said, with- 
out more than ordinary tillage. The principal agricultural pro- 
ducts of Sac County and this section generally are corn, wheat, oats,' 
flax, barley, rye and grass. Timothy, clover and blue grass grow 
readily and will make Sac, at an early day, one of the leading stock 
and dairy counties of Iowa. And Iowa is, with rapid strides, com- 
ing to the head of all the States in dairy products. We will put 
Judge Criss on the stand again in regard to the advantages for 
stock raising. 

"We have stated that the tame grasses grow rapidly. Besides 
that fact, it is also true that the Kentucky blue grass is rapidly 
coming 'of itself in places where it has never been sown. Along 
fences, along paths made by cattle through the brush and in 
pastures, in spots where the timber and underbrush have been 
cleared, in door-yards and other places, in some mysterious way that 
sweetest and best of feed for stock is making its appearance. It 
is a matter which the present writer does not understand, but it is a 
good thing, and Ave are glad to see that this section is so fortunate. 
Grass is always sufficiently high to turn out stock at a date varying 
in the different years from April 1st to April 30th. And now we 
produce Judge Criss's testimony. The Judge is a Virginian by 
birth, but has had some years' experience in farming in Maryland. 
After his many years' experience in the two States, it is his firm 
belief that both cattle and horses do better 'running out' during 
the winter months in this part of Iowa than they do in Maryland. 
This, our readers will observe, is not guess- Avork or the dictum of a 
traveler or chance observer, but the carefully considered verdict of 
experience. 

The location of Sac County is on the Great Divide, as the water- 
shed between the Missouri and the Mississippi is called. It is in the 
west northwestern part of Iowa, being the fourth county from the 
northern line of the State, the sixth from the soiithern, the third 
from the Missouri River, and the tenth from the Mississippi. Sac 
City, the center of the government, and not far from the geograph- 
ical center, is about fifty miles by wagon road west from Fort Dodge ' 
and about eighty-five miles east from Sioux City. 

Sac County's only railway communication with the busy world 
outside is by means of branches of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad. These branches are the Maple River Railroad and the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 525 

Sac City & Wall Lake Railroad. The former has two stations in the 
County— Odebolt and Wall Lake. The latter has, as yet, no other 
stations than its termini — Sac City and Wall Lake, which are 
twelve miles apart. Another station is now being put in which 
will be better entitled to the latter name than the town which now 
bears it, being situated on the shores of the Lake, while the pres- 
ent station of Wall Lake is some four miles distant. It seems to 
us that the present town will be obliged, in honor, to resign its name 
in favor of the baby town not yet christened. Sac City is situated 
twenty-eight and eight-tenths miles from Maple River Junction, 
on the main line (Chicago & Council Blufts) of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway, and just thirty-three miles from Carroll, 
the nearest town of any consequence in direct railway communica- 
tion. Both these branches have been built within the past three 
years, and a large part of the present. 

[The additional station on the Sac City & Wall Lake Railroad 
was eventually christened Fletcher. An account of it wilh be 
found in the proper place.] 

" Sac County contains sixteen congressional townships, west of 
the Des Moines River. It contains 369,640 acres, nearly all of 
which is desirable land for either grain or stock farms, and the 
larger part available for either or both combined. The larger part 
of these lands are railway property and these can be purchased by 
home-seekers, who will occupy them at once, on the most liberal 
terms. Many of the private holders are also selling on nearly if 
not quite as easy terms as the railway land company. And as to 
the grasshopper and tornado bugbears, it is perfectly safe to say 
that the farmers of Ohio and Indiana are as much annoyed by them, 
and have as much prospect for annoyance from them, as the Sac 
county grower of grain and stock. Sura up these advantages, and 
the reader will readily see why the population has been rapidly on 
the increase ever since the opening of railway communication. 
Let those who have doubts give the county a visit and they will 
hesitate no longer. Sac county has not even the drawback so 
common to these fertile counties of Northwestern Iowa. What 
this is, is too well understood by the early settlers Avho located in 
Northwestern Iowa before there were railways to deliver coal at 
every man's door. Many counties in this section had little or no 
timber — Ida County, for instance, had less than a thousand acres 
within its borders. Sac County had many thousands of acres of 
oak, black walnut, hickory, ash, elm. maple, ])ox alder, Cottonwood, 
linn (basswood). and many other varieties native to the soil. The 
Coon River, which traverses the east part of the county, lies buried 
in woods for almost its entire course. Cordwood is delivered in 
Sac City at from l?^4 to §5 per cord according to quality. The tim- 
ber culture laws of the State — relieving laud from tax for ten years 
in consideration of the culture of a certain portion of forest trees 
—have also caused so extensive a growth of forest that there is 



526 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

probably more timber now in tlie county than before the first axe 
was struck on the banks of of the classic Coon. 

'' The early settlers of Sac, though they had the advantage of 
being able to try fruit-raising under the protection of a consider- 
able belt of timber, had small faith in the county as adapted to the 
growth of fruits. Consequently it was not until some ten or 
twelve years after the settlement of the county began that any at- 
tention was given to this important branch of the industries of the 
county. When proper attention was given to the matter, it was 
speedily demonstrated that Sac County was well fitted for fruit 
growing, and there are now many orchards, vineyards and fruit 
gardens dotting the fair surface of Sac-shire. Apples, grapes, 
plums, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, 
gooseberries, etc., grow rapidly and yield surely and abundantly, 
and the quality is unsurpassed anywhere. We are informed that 
pears are also successfully grown in parts of the county. In the 
line of vegetables there is nothing usually grown in a temperate 
climate which will not grow here and that in extraordinary per- 
fection. This section is the garden of Iowa, as Iowa is the Gar- 
den State of the Union. The dry, pure air of our unexcelled 
climate gives to trees and plants a healthy growth, and the fruits 
and vegetables are solid and delicately flavored and tinted, as far 
excelliug the coarse flavor and blowzy coloring given to the same 
fruits by the hot and humid air of California and Oregon as the 
apple excels the pumpkin. You say the California fruit is larger 
than ours! Oh, well, the pumpkin is larger than the apple; but 
the pumpkin requires a good deal of cooking and spicing before it 
is eatable, and if you get a California apple you had better use that 
for cooking also. But our northern Iowa apples are of medium 
size, of the finest flavor and will keep longer than any apple grown 
in a warm climate. Therefore the Iowa apple is in the near future 
the apple of commerce, and it is not unlikely that the principal fu- 
ture industry of Iowa, may be fruit-frowing. Apples are not the 
only fruit which the Iowa soil and climate give a finer flavor than 
elsewhere. Nowhere does the Concord grape come to such per- 
fection as in Iowa. And although our fruits and vegetables do 
not rival those of the Pacific coast in size, they are unsurpassed even 
in that minor particular by those of any other section in the Mis- 
sissippi Valley or any section on the Atlantic slope. 

^' The first settlement was made by Otho Williams, who came 
from Michigan in the autumn of 1S5-1. Avith his family, and took up 
a claim in the timber near Grant City, in the southeastern part of 
the county. He and his family were the first white inhabitants 
of Sac county, but during the two succeeding years quite a num- 
ber of settlers made their homes either in the same neighborhood 
or in the vicinity of Sac City, and Otho Williams, at the end of 
about two years, complained that ' folks are gittin' too thick 
'round yer,' and he and his family ' folded their tent like the 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 527 

Arab, and silently stole away.' ■ In other words, thoy sold their 
claim and disappeared in the direction of the setting sun. No one 
knows where they went. If they still live and preserve their 
aversion to near neighbors, they must be somewhere in the Rocky 
Mountain region. In the spring of 1855, Leonard Austin, F. M. 
Cory, Wm. Wine and David Metcalf, with their families, VV. M. 
Montgomery, M'ith his mother and sister, and S. W. Wagoner and 
Henry A. Evans, single men, took up claims in the county. On 
the 5th of August Eugene Criss and family arrived in the county, 
and located near Sac City. A few days later William H. Hobbs 
located in the same neighborhood. During the fall the popula- 
tion of Sac County was augmented by the arrival and settlement 
of John Condron, Joseph Lane, Joseph Williams and S. L. Watt, 
with their respective families. This, so far as we can learn, is a 
complete list of the population of the county up to the close of 
1855. 

'' In the spring of 1858, the settlers in Congressional townships 
87, 88 and 89, in range 36, now forming the townships of Wall 
Lake, Jackson and Delaware, thought that there was good reason 
to fear that all vacant land in those townships would be bid in by 
speculators at the annual land sale at Sioux City, thus preventing 
its immediate settlement. Nearly all the settlers, though not 
ready at that time to buy, wanted some of this land for their own 
use. They therefore met together and arranged matters, and 
when the day of sale came, the room in which the sale was held 
was packed full of settlers, and no others could make their way in. 
No bids were made, and the land was thus kept open for pre- 
emption. 

'' The first mill in the county was built by Wm. Lane, on the 
Coon River, near Grant City, late in the fall of 1856. That win- 
ter was so very severe that it has ever since been known as the 
' hard winter,' but nevertheless, corn was hauled to the mill from 
Sac City and vicinity on hand-sleds. Many families ground their 
own corn in coffee mills. Provisions, flour, etc., were generally 
brought from Des Moines. 

" In 1856, Sac County, which had previously been attached to 
Greene County for all administrative purposes, was granted a 
separate jurisdiction- S. L. Watt was the first County Judge — and 
the County Judge of those days n^as an autocrat, performing the 
functions of the present Board of Supervisors and County Auditor, 
and also, in part, those of the Judge of the Circuit Court. H. C. 
Crawford was first County Clerk, and F. M. Cory was first Treas- 
urer and Recorder." 



528 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

SAC CITY. 

The population of Sac City is now estimated to be 800. The 
place is one of the most flourishing in this section of Iowa. 

The present town oJ0&cers are: Mayor, John Alexander; Re- 
corder, Charles L. Early; Trustees. R.H. Lamoreux, Phil. Schaller, 
P. H. Hankins, N. B. Flack, Jos. H. James. 

In 1856 Sac City was laid out on land belonging to Hon. 
Eugene Criss, and was selected as the seat of government for the 
county. It is situated on the Coon River, about five or six miles 
northeast of the center of the county. The business part of town 
lies on level ground, on the first rise from the bottom lands along 
the river, while the residences are principally on higher ground, 
overlooking the business streets. 

The townsite is handsome and picturesque. In fact, it would 
be difficult to find in our prairie country a more beautiful location 
for a town. The Coon River, lined by a narrow strip of bottom 
land, half encircles the town. Native" forest trees are scattered 
over the whole town site, so that even the later comers may have 
enough shade around their homes to take away the disagreeable 
bareness usually belonging to anew residence in a prairie country. 
It would be difficult for even the most fastidious to find fault with 
the appearance of Sac City, taking its age and size into considera- 
tion. 

Sac City was incorporated in 1865, and Judge Criss, the founder 
of the town, was, quite appropriately, its first Mayor. The town 
is, in every, respect, in a prosperous condition — growing rapidly 
and gaining every season in handsome and permanent buildings, 
and last, though not least, it is out of debt and has money in its 
treasury. 

Judge Criss built the first house in Sac City. It was a log house 
and was built in 1855 and is still standing. 

The Sac City Creamery was established in 1879. It was formerly 
situated one and one-half miles from town. The proprietor, G. 
M. Parker, has subsequently built a fine brick building 24x40 
feet, with ice-house 20x32 feet, steam power engine and wash- 
room lt)x30 feet, erected in 1882. The creamery is to be supplied 
with all the modern improved machinery. The cost of construc- 
tion was about ^5,000. It is to be run on the cream-gathering 
plan. The new creamery is to be known in future as the Pearl 
Creamery, and will begin operations in April, 1882. 

The classification of business in Sac City is as follows: General 
stores, three; groceries, three; dry goods, one; boots and shoes, one; 
clothing, one; fancy goods, one; millinery, three; hardware, two; 
drugs, three; meat markets, two; blacksmiths, three; v'agon- 
makers, two; banks, two; furniture, two; photograph gallery, one; 
restaurant, one; hotels, two; physicians, four; attorneys, four; 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 529 

harness, two; livery, two; shoemakers, two; tailor, oue; lumber 
and coal, two; elevators, three; cigar factory, one; mattress factory, 
one; stock dealers, three; saloons, four; iron foundry, one. 
■ The Court House is S'lxSC) feet, solidly and handsomely built in 
brick, with limestone foundations and is one of the best county 
buildings in the northwest. It cost $30,000. The first floor is 
litted up for the county officers, with vaults for the county records, 
etc. The upper story has the court-room, jury-rooms, etc. With 
the court-room fitted up for a session of court there are about 400 
sittings, but in use as a hall for lectures or political speaking, there 
is sitting room tor 600 people. The basement is only partly in 
use. One room is fitted up with, floor, stove, chairs, tables, etc., 
and is in use as a jail. A cage of boiler iron, containing two cells, 
fills about half the room and makes the jail a pretty secure one. 

On Coon River, adjoining the town, and only a quarter of a 
mile from the Court House, are the City Mills, the property of Hon. 
Eugene Criss. The mills have three run of stone (including one 
for the manufacture of patent flour), and are run by water power. 
Judge Criss, in 1857, built a steam saw mill, and in 1802 dammed 
the Coon and used the water-power for his sawmill. The building 
of railroads, and the consequent cheap transportation of pine lumber, 
made the sawmill no longer a necessity, and in 1872 the conversion 
of the Sac City Mill into a flouring mill was completed and in Decem- 
ber of that year the first "grists" were ground. Since that time 
it has been the leading mill, and one of the most important institu- 
tions of Sac County, as well as a source of profit to its proprietor. 

Sac City has a very pleasantly situated cemetery, just at the 
north edge of town, and on the bank of the Coon River, but about 
ten feet above high water mark. It has quite a number of native 
oak trees, and some of the burial lots have had considerable care 
bestowed upon them. 

Sac City, has but one newspaper, and has been able to give it a 
fair living support. As a rule, it is the fault of the community if 
the local newspaper is a poor one. Give it a better patronage and 
it will be improved. It takes money to make any kind of business 
"go." The Sac Sun was first issued July 11th, 1871, as a seven- 
column folio, and was enlarged July 1st, 1878, to an eight-column 
folio, its present size. It is, and always has been. Republican in 
politics. Always among the handsomest papers in the State, 
typographically the Sun has also been always carefully edited 
and with special attention to those matters which are the life of a 
country newspaper, Mr. James N. Miller has been the editor and 
the publisher during its whole existence, and the Sun itself is the 
best evidence of his qualifications for that position. 

Sac City had two newspapers for about six weeks near the close 
of the year 1877. Kelly & Varham issued the first number of 
the Itepoder at Sac City on the 22d of October of that year, but 
removed it to Odebolt on the 6th of December. 



530 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

M. E. Church Socicff/.— The M. E. Chm-cli of Sac City was 
the first church building erected in the town. It was built in 
1873, and is a frame structure 30x50 feet. The buiklingis located 
on the corner of IS'inth and Main streets, and cost ^3,000. The 
present pastor is Rev. Robert Smylie. The Society has a mem- 
bership of sixty. There is a Sabbath School in connection, with 
an average attendance of fifty pupils. A. D. Peck is Superin- 
tendent, J. L. Comstock Assistant Superintendent, Mrs. C. L. 
Lane, Treasurer, and Miss Winnie Lane Secretary. 

The Preshijterkm Church Society/. — The Presbyterian Society 
of Sac City was organized in 1875. The present ofiicers are J. N. 
Miller, H. M. Conner, Elders; J. T. Buslinell was the first pastor, 
then came Rev. Baxter. A. S. Foster is the present incumbent. 
The church has a membership of thirty-three. There is also a 
Sabbath School with an average attendance of fifty pupils. J. N. 
Miller is Superintendent. The church has an elegant brick church 
building, erected in 1875, and dedicated the following year. It is 
34x56 feet on the ground,and contains about 300 sittings. 

Sac Citij Lodge No. 323, I. 0. 0. i^.^Instituted November 5th, 
1878. The charter members were V. M. Crummett, H. W. Cran- 
dall, G. N. Pratt, W. H. Hobbs, J. H. Thomas, John Dobson. H. 
W. Mix, C. Wadell, D. Sargent, D. F. Gifford, M. Peyton. First 
ofiicers: M. Peyton, N. G.; D. Sargent, Secretary; D. F. Giff'ord, 
V. G.; W. H. Hobbs, Treasurer. Present ofiicers: D. F. Gifi'ord, 
N. G.; Martin Glass, V. G.; J. Koder, Secretary; M. Peyton, 
Treasurer. This lodge has a membership of thirty and meets ev- 
ery Thursday evening in Masonic Hall. The Lodge is in a fiour- 
ishing condition. 

Occidental Lodge- A. F. d- A. M. — Instituted August, 1865; char- 
ter granted June, 1866. Charter members: D. C. Early, J. Wil- 
liams, W. V. Lagourgue, G. H. Wright, J. W. Fiberghien, T. M. 
Cory. First officers: D. C. Early, W. M.; J. Williams, S. W.; 
G. H. Wright, J. W.; W. V. Lagourgue, Treasurer; F. M. Cory, 
Secretary. Present ofiicers: P. Schaller, W. M.; C. E. Lane, S. 
W.; J. H. Thomas, J. W.; W. M. Allen, Treasurer; C. E. Read, 
Secretary. Present membership, seventy-two. The Lodge meets 
the Saturday night on or before each full moon, in their hall. 

Rose Croix Coinmandery No. 38, K. T. — Was instituted Dec, 
1881. The charter members were: D. C. Early, P. H. Hawkins, 
E. R. Dufiie, W. H. Hobbs, M. Childs, B. W. Trout, R. T. Shearer, 
M. M. Gray, H.S. Briggs and Sidney Smith. First officers: D. 
C. Early, E. C; E. R. Dufiie, Glo.; R. T. Shearer, C. G. The 
present ofiicers are : D. C. Early, E. C; Phil. Schaller. Glo.; Levi 
Davis, C.G.; W. H. Hobbs, S. W.; M. Childs, J. W.; Sidney 
Smith, Secretary; C. L. Early, Treasurer. The present member- 
ship is thirty. This society meets the second Tuesday in each 
month. It is in a fiourishing condition. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 531 

Darius Cliapter No. 50, B. A. M. — Was instituted February 
1st, 1871. The charter members were: Wm. McKay, W. H. 
Hobbs, E. R. Duffie,E. R. Chase, S. S. Armstrono^, J. Orr, ami 
Oliver Birt. First officers: E. R. Chase, H. P.; J.E. Armstrong, 
K.; E. R. Duffie, S. The present officers are: Levi Davis, H. 
P.; D. C. Early, K.; J. E. Armstrong, S.; R. H. Lamoreux, Treas- 
urer; Sidney Smith Secretary. Present membership, seventy. 
The Lodge meets on the Monday evening on or before the full 
moon in each month. 

Sac CoUeginm, V. A. S'., Xo. 75. — Instituted August 21st, 1881. 
First officers: A. D. Peck, Reotor; Geo. Schaller, Scribe. Pres- 
ent officers: A. D. Peck, Rector; Frank C. Knights, Scribe. The 
membership is twenty-one. Meet the first Friday in each month. 

Sac C'dij Puhlic School. — Sac City became an independent school 
district in April, 1876. The first school house was built in 1855. 
The present teachers are: D. J. McDaid, Principal; Mrs. G. M. 
Parker, Miss Lizzie Baxter, Assistants. Present school board: A. 
D. Peck, President; D. C. Early, E. Criss, Phil. Schaller, W. H. 
Hobbs, Directors; C. E. Lane, Secretary; R. H. Lamoreux, Treas- 
urer. The first officers were: B. W. Trout, Levi Davis, H. Bax- 
ter. The public school building in Sac City is a fine brick edifice, 
with a stone foundation, built in 1871 at a cost of $14,000. It 
contains three rooms, the whole upper story being devoted to the 
high school department, while the intermediate and primary de- 
partments are accommodated on the first floor. The building is 
well built and handsomely furnished, and is w^ell ventilated, com- 
fortable and more than ordinarily well lighted. The schools are 
in the best order, well disciplined and progressing most satisfacto- 
rily in the various branches of study. 

ODEBOLT. 

This town is situated in the western part of Sac County on a 
branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. It was laid out 
by the Blair Town Lot and Land Company in 1877. M. H. Hen- 
ipen is not only the first business man of Odebolt, but is one of 
the earliest settlers, having been engaged in selling supplies to the 
laborers before the town was laid out or the railroad completed. 
The first house erected in the town was built by W. Van Duesen, 
and served both as a store and dwelling. He was soon followed 
by Geo. McKibbin, and James Ross. The railroad was completed 
to this town in 1877. The first regular train reached this point 
November 19th, 1877. 

H. T. Martin is among the early settlers of Odebolt. He or- 
ganized the first Sabbath School in December, 1877, and was the 
first commissioned Notary Public in the place. 

The depot was built in"lS77. J. T. Martin was appointed the first 
depot agent, and Miss Emma Martin was first telegraph operator. 



532 HISTOKY OF IOWA, 

The town of Odebolt was incorporated in March. 1879, James 
Ross being the first Mayor, and J. M. Zane, Recorder; J. Flanders, 
J. Ketterer, E. Geist, C. Dalbkynier, C. B. Hatfield, and J. Bowles 
served as Councilmen. James Ross still holds the position of 
Mayor, W. Y. Sindt, Recorder; J. Flanders, J. Ketterer, E. Geist, 
H. Rheberger, J. W. Fairbanks and C. S. Lee, are the present 
Councilmen. 

The population of Odebolt is now estimated at 1,200 souls. 

Tlie Odebolt Reporter was started in Sac City in 1877, by W. 
W. Yarham, and was moved to Odebolt the same year. Frank 
Kelley purchased the paper from Yarham. It was afterwards 
bought by Taylor & Mann, and still later was purchased by A. J. 
Maun. G. A. Kikok afterwards purchased the paper and sold it to 
F.L. Dennis in April, 1881. This paper is republican in politics, 
is an eight-column quarto, and has a circulation of 600. 

The Odebolt Observer is a neat six-column quarto weekly paper. 
It was started in July, 1880, by Martin & Bennett. Bennett soon 
bought Martin's interest, and is now the sole proprietor. This 
paper is Democratic, and has a circulation of 500 copies. 

The Central Western Iowa District Fair Association.- — This 
comprises the counties of Sac. Ida and Crawford, and was organ- 
ized August 1st, 1881, with W. W. Field as President, P. Cov, W. 
Van Duesen, H. C. Wheeler, A. D. Peck, I. S. Bailey, E. P. 
Masser; E. A. Benuett and S. Peterson as Vice-Presidents; F. L. 
Dennis, Secretary; W. J. Summerville, Treasurer. This society 
owns twenty-five acres of land, situated one-half mile northeast of 
the town, and will hold their first fair in the fall of 1882. 

Odebolt Fire Company. — The Hook and Ladder Company was 
organized in the spring of 1880, and consists of forty members, all 
uniformed. J. Mattes, Foreman; E.E. Hamlin, Secretary; W. V. 
Sindt, Treasurer; Dave W. Flack, Assistant Foreman. 

Odebolt boasts of a flax mill which was established in 1880 by 
Winslow & Son. This is a large frame building with steam power. 
John Dement is the present proprietor. 

Odebolt has the finest public hall in Sac County. It was 
erected in 1881, by John Wright. It is a brick structure, 50x90 
feet with five hundred sittings. 

The business of Odebolt may be classified as follows: Seven 
general stores, three groceries, two harness shops, two hardware 
stores, three drug stores, two jewelry stores, two furniture stores, 
three restaurants, two banks, three hotels, three elevators, three 
lumber yards, four agricultural implement dealers, three livery 
stables, four blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, three millinery 
stores, three barber shops, two meat markets, one ])hotograph gal- 
lery, two printing offices, one ready-made clothing house, one ex- 
clusive dry goods store, three saloons, postoffice. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 533 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Methodist Episcopal Church Society. — Was organized in 1877. 
This society organized with only three or four members. Kev. Mr. 
Fans, acting as first pastor, was succeeded by Rev, W. W. Brown, 
he by Rev. I). M. Beams, he by Rev. R. S. Fysh. The present in- 
cumbent is Rev, William Preston, This society now has a mem- 
bership of thirty-two. It has a Sabbath School with an average 
attendance of seventy pupils, R, M. McDowell is Superintende;it, 
The society has no church building but holds services in the Ma- 
sonic Hall, The present officers are: E, Geist, A. B, Smith, M, 
D. Fox, J, Bowker, J. W. Savage, Trustees; J, L, Brown and E, 
Geist, Stewards, There is a parsonage W'hich was erected in 1877 
at a cost of $450, and a lot upon which is contemplated the erec- 
tion of a church building this year. 

The Catholic Church Society. —Was organized in the spring of 
1879, by Rev. Father Pape. The first officers were: M. B, Lynch, 
Treasurer; J. Conradi, L. Suntz, J. Miller committee. The 
Rev. Father Norton is the present pastor. The present officers 
are H. J. Muxen, Secretary and Treasurer; H. Wester and N. 
Thies, committee. The society now numbers about fifty 
families. They have a fine frame building 40x60 feet erected in 
1879, at a cost of |1,300. This was the first church building in 
Odebolt, 

Presbyterian Church Society. — Was organized in 1879, by Rev. 
Fullenweider. The first and present officers are: John Bruce, 
James Taylor, C. W, Sutton, G. W. McKibbon, W. Van Duesen, 
Trustees, and W, Matthews and W. Simpson, Elders. Rev, Fullen- 
weider was succeeded by Wm, Porter, he by Rev. Gilkerson, S. 
N. Vail is the present incumbent. This society numbers sixty. 
There is in connection a Sabbath School with an average attend- 
ance of sixty pupils, with C. W. Sutton as Superintendent, There 
is also a good, substantial frame structure 30x50 feet, with 250 
sittings, which was dedicated in May, 1881, The cost of building 
was $3,300. 

Odebolt Public School. — This school became an independent dis- 
trict in April, 1880. The first school taught in Odebolt was 
taught by Jacob Gable. The first school board, consisted of W. 
W. Stanfield, Z. G. Sparkes, H, Hansen, J, Flanders and J. 
Ketterer, Trustees; Wm. Graham, Secretary; J, T. Martin, Treas- 
urer. The present officers are the same, except in place of J. 
Ketterer, who has been succeeded by John Wilson. Mr. Taggert 
is the Treasurer at present. C. Messer is the Principal of • the 
school, and Anna Beekman and Mrs, Emma Gill, assistants. The 
enrollment is 220 pupils, with an average attendance of 150, They 
have a neat frame building containing three rooms, which was 
erected in 1880 at a cost of $3,000. 

Wheeler Lodge No. 398, A. F. d- A. il/.— Instituted October, 
1879, and Avorked under dispensation until June, 1880, when their 



534 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

charter was received. The charter members and first officers were: 
J. M. Zane, W. M.; W. A. Helsell, S. AV.; H. T. Martm, J. W.; 
Frank Burleigh, Treasurer; F. A.Cobb, Secretary. H. C.Wheeler, 
W. W. Field, Geo. Belt, and Mr. Douglas were among the charter 
members. The present officers are: E. P. Messer, W. M.: W. A. 
Helsell, S. W.; J. M. Zane, J. W.; C. W. Sutton, S. D.; E. Geist, 
J. D.; Wm. Graham, Secretary; Frank Burleigh, Treasurer. The 
society has a membership of thirty, and is in a flourishing con- 
dition. This society meet once each month in their hall. 

Harmony Collegium No. o, V. A. S. — Was instituted Decem- 
ber 3d, 1881. The charter members were: F. L. Dennis, Aaron 
Young, A. G. Errenborn, C. D. Boardman, \V. E. Mill, C. A. 
Stoops, D. A. W^atterman, C. R. Dingman, J. A. Gibson, H. B. 
Preston, J. H. W^agner, H, F. Wanneke, Irwin Austin, W. Jacob, 
E. Schmidt, H. Anderson, L. Halboth, George Halboth, A. B. 
Cooley. The first and present officers are: F. L. Dennis, Rector; 
Aaron Young, Yice-Rector; A. G. Errenborn, Scribe; C. D. 
Boardman, Questor; W. E. Mill, Usher; C. A. Stoops, Speculator; 
D. A. Watterman,C. R. Dingman and J. A. Gibson, Curators. The 
society has about twenty-five members, and holds meetings once 
each month. 

Odebolt Lodge, A. 0. U. TF., A^o. 5/7.— Instituted May 25th, 
1880. Thefirst officers were: J. W. Dubbs, P. M. W.; J. W. 
Burnside, M. W^.; C, S. Lee, Foreman; W. Yan Duesen, Recorder; 
C. B. Francisco, Financier; H. Hansen, Receiver; T. M. Keever, 
Guide;,!. E. Emspohr, 0. W.; A. E.Matthews, J. W.; A.Groman, 
and C. D. Boardman, Medical Examiners. The present officers 
are: W. Yan Duesen, M. W.; F. L. Dennis, Foreman; Ed. Colvin, 
Overseer; G. M. Tagget, Recorder; C. D. Boardman, P. M. W.; J. 
Mattes, Guide; C. H. Bahcock, Receiver: L. Olney, 0. W.; C. B. 
Francisco, Financier. There is a membership of about forty, and 
the Lodge meets once in two weeks. 

WALL LAKE. 

Wall Lake is situated in Sac County, on the Maple River Rail- 
road, seventeen miles from the Junction. This town is three 
miles south of the Lake. It is situated on a beautiful plateau, 
which slopes gently from the summit of the surrounding hills, 
which form a part of the great Avatershed that j^asses entirely 
through the state. To the south and west is a beautiful sheet of 
water, containing a surface area of three square miles. This in- 
land sea is frequently termed the "goose pond." 

The town of Wall Lake was iaid out and platted by the Blair 
Town Lot and Land Company in 1877. The town plat consists of 
two additions containing 300 lots. Perhaps it would be of inter- 
est to our readers to relate a coincidence between Storm Lake 
and Wall Lake. The first lot in Storm Lake was sold the same 



HISTORY OF IOWA. ' 535 

day of the mouth, tlie same hour in the day and for the same 
money, as was the tirst lot in Wall Lake just seven years after- 
wards. 

Wall Lake is surrounded with a splendid farming country. The 
soil is a rich black loam. Splendid water can be easily obtained. 
The population of Wall Lake may be fairl}^ estimated at 400. Ar- 
rangements are now being made to erect a large steam grist mill 
in this town, which will add much to its interests. 

April 1st, 1S77, Mr. Donaldson erected the first building for the 
purpose of a saloon, the building material being brought across the 
country from Storm Lake. The next actual settler was 0. A. An- 
derson, who came April 15th, 1877. Mr. Peck completed his res- 
idence July 2d, 1877. P. A. Elpstrand opened a boot and shoe 
shop, July 7th. 1877. F. Rohm, of Alta, opened the first black- 
smith shop. The first religious services held in Wall Lake were 
held at the residence of Mr. Palmer, on Sunday evening, August 
15th, 1877, by liev. W. P Grifhn. C')n the 20th of July work was 
begun on the depot, Avhich was completed August 15th, 1S77. The 
first lot was sold to D. Wayne & Co., cf Carroll, who erected a fine 
warehouse and purchased the first load of wheat sold at Wall Lake 
of a Mr. North, at 75 cents per, bushel, September 10th, 1877. 
Wayne & Co. shipped the first car load of Avheat. The first lum- 
ber yard was started by Wilcox Bros., in August, 1877. Septem - 
ber 19th, 1877, G. M. Parker received and sold the first goods in 
Wall Lake. August 7th, 1877, the first child was born in Wall 
Lake to Mrs. 0. A. Anderson. April 2d, 1878. the first death oc- 
curred in the family of C. E. Wentworth. April 21st, 1878, a de- 
structive tornado passed through the city and vicinity. Seven 
buildings near, and two in the town Avere entirely destroyed, eight 
more being considerably damaged. The amount of damage done 
was $30,000. 

The first telephone was constructed February 11th. 1878, between 
J. C. Fletchers and C. E. Wentworth's places of business. Eh- 
lers and Wentworth did the scientific part of the work. 

Wall Lake was incorporated in March, 1881. A. D. Herrig was 
elected first Mayor, W. L. Ehlers, Recorder; D. M. Bingman. Geo. 
Burgan, F. E. Cheney, H. Mohr, H. J. Simpson and T. E. Wilcox 
served as Trustees. These are the present municipal council. 

The Wall LaJxe Journal, a neat, seven- column folio weekly 
})aper, was started August 29th, 1878, by F. L. Dennis, as a six-col- 
umn quarto. Cook & Gregg purchased the paper April 1st. 1881, 
and ran it as a five-column quarto. T. J. Newburg took charge, 
October 1st, 1881. J. L. Kroesen, the present editor and propri- 
etor, purchased the paper December 1st, 1881. Mr. Kroesen 
runs a neat job office in connection with his paper, which is Re- 
publican in politics and has a circulation of 600. 

The business of Wall Lake may be classified as follows: General 
stores, three; hardware, two; restaurants three; hotels, two; 



536 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

lumber yards, two; agricultural implements, four; livery stable, 
one; harness shops, one; elevator, one; grain dealers, three; sa- 
loons, three; furniture store, one; shoe shop, one; millinery 
stores, two; bank, one; barber shop, one; post-office; drug 
store, ojie; meat market, one; blacksmith shops, three; wagon 
shops, two; printing office, one. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

There are several different religious sects represented in Wall 
Lake, but there is no regularly organized societ3^ Steps are being 
taken to organize a society soon. A building for public Avorship 
is in contemplation. 

Wall Lake Public School. — Wall Lake is an independent school 
district and has been so for several years. The school building is 
a neat, frame structure, erected in the summer of 1879. It is 22x 
36 feet and cost $750. This building is insufficient to accommo- 
date the large attendance of pupils, and the Masonic Lodge room 
is used for one department. Emma M. Flanders and Allie Bor- 
der are the teachers. 

Lake Lodge, No. 390, A. F. & A. M. — Dispensation granted 
June 4th, 1878. Charter granted June 4th, 1879. The charter 
members were C. N. Levey, H. B. Allen, D. M. Bingman, L. J. 
Gifford, F. W. Weed, A. t). Herrig, B. E. Allen, C. M. Smith, W. 
D. Forbes and Wm. Throssel. The Lodge's first officers were C. 
N. Levey, W. M.; H. B. Allen, S. W.; D. M. Bingman, J. W.; 
A. D. Herrig, Secretary, and B. E. Allen, Treasurer. The 
present officers of the Lodge are: C. N. Levey, W. M.; W. L. Eh- 
lers, S. W.; H. B. Allen, J. W.; P. L. Edson, Secretary, and T. E. 
Wilcox, Treasurer. This Lodge has a membership of thirty-two 
and is in a flourishing condition. Meetings are held every Wed 
nesday evening on or before each full moon. 

Fire Department. — The Wall Lake Hook and Ladder Company 
was organized September 25th, 1878. It has erected a large en- 
gine house and purchased uniforms at a cost of 8700. Wall Lake 
is as well protected from the fire fiend as any other town in Wes- 
tern Iowa. * 

FLETCHER. 

The first settlement in Fletcher was made by Piobert Throssel 
and son, in the spring of 1867. They were followed by Joseph 
Parkinson, Noah Borah, AVm. Johnston, Thomas Waddicor, and 
Geo. Trainer, who settled on the east and south of the lake. 
W. A. Robinson came in the 3^ear 1869, and settled on a farm three 
miles from the present town site. This town Avas laid out by J. 
C. Fletcher, in 1880. The town was named after him. The first 
house on the town site was moved from Wall Lake by W. H. 
Robinson in the fall of 1880. J. C. Fletcher and Harry Seevers 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 537 

opened the first store in Fletcher. Then followed C. E. Gard and 
A. J. Thompson. W. H. Robinson erected the first elevator in 
1881. J. P. Therkleson opened a hardware store in 1881. 

The town of Fletcher is situated in Wall Lake Township, Sec- 
tion 33, and is located on the west side of Wall Lake. This beau- 
tiful, phicid sheet of water is about three miles in length, and one- 
fourth of a mile in width. It is said to have derived its name 
from the fact that the surrounding country is much lower than 
the surface of the Lake, which ^is surrounded by a wall of earth 
and gravel about four feet above the surface of the water. This 
Lake, in its onward course, does not extend in a direct line, but in 
such a manner as to form a kind of a horse-shoe shape. The 
water is as clear as crystal, and abounds in fish of different kinds, 
and is a most beautiful sight to lehoM. This location will, in no 
far distant future, become a beautiful summer resort. 

The railroad was completed to this point in the fall of 1879. 
The depot was erected in the fall of 1880. 

The first hotel was opened by W. H. Robinson in 1880, and was 
known as the Lake House. The first lumber yard was opened by 
H. L. Briggs. The first postmaster was W. A. Robinson, who was 
appointed in December, 1880. He is also the present postmaster. 

The population of the town is now estimated at 300. This town 
contains: Three general stores, two hardware, one furniture, one 
lumber yard, one meat market, one hotel, two saloons, one barber, 
two elevators, two agricultural implement warehouses, two black- 
smith shops, one wagon shop, one livery stable, one drug store, 
one boot and shoe store, one restaurant. 

There is no regular organized religious sect in this place. The 
Baptists hold meetings every iSabbath; W. N. McKendrick serves 
in the capacity of pastor. This society contemplate building a 
church this spring, when it is hoped they will have a regular or- 
ganization. 

Fletcher School. — A school of twenty-four pupils, with Miss 
Anna Searle as teacher, is held in Fletcher. There is no school 
building. 



34 



53S HISTORY OF IOWA. 



SAC COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



SAC CITY, 



William Allen was born iu Riclimoiid, Ya., in 1822; moved to 
McHenry county, 111., in 1844:, and engaged in blacksmithing. He 
went to California in 1849, and remained seventeen years. Three 
years of the time he Avas engaged in mining, and the remainder on 
a ranch. The steamboat landing in Tehama county, Cal.. on the 
Sacramento river, known as Allen's Landing, was named after Mr 
A., for the reason of his owning the land and a large wood-yard 
there. In 1868 he sold out and moved to Chicago, 111., and en- 
gaged in business; removed to Fort Dodge, la., and was engaged 
in the mercantile business there for three years; then came to Sac 
City, and engaged in the same business, which he sold to George 
Parker in 1876. He owns considerable country and town proper- 
ty, and has retired from active business. 

Thomas Alexander, farmer, was born in Coshocton county, 0., 
in 1827; moved to Sac county, la., in 1861, and purchased land 
one mile north of Sac City. He has one of the finest farms in the 
county. He owns 314 acres of well improved land, a fine bearing 
orchard of about three acres, and fifty acres of good timber. 

E. F. Baxter, station agent and conductor, was born at Sidney 
Plain, N. Y., in 1833; moved to Rockford, 111., in 1851 and en- 
gaged in mercantile business. In 1861 he moved to Wheatland, 
la.; thenceto Marshalltown, in 1874, and in September, 1879, 
came to Sac City and took charge of the depot. He makes two 
trips a day as conductor, and during his absence the depot is in 
charge of Frank L. Stayner, operator. Mr. Baxter is agent for 
the American express company. 

A. T. Benton, M. D., was born in Johnson county, Indiana, in 
1847; moved to Dallas county, Iowa, in 1852. He attended the 
Ad el High School several years; entered the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons, at Keokuk in 1867 and graduated in 1869. He then 
engaged in practice at Adel, where he remained until July, 1871, 
then came to Sac City. Office at his residence, on the south side 
of public square. 

Hon. Eugene Criss, farmer, stock-raiser, and pioprietor of the 
City Mills, was born in Preston county, West Yirginia, in 1822; 
removed to Davis county, Illinois, in 1840; thence to Sac county, 
Iowa, in 1854, locating on Coon river, where the present town of 
Sac City was shortly afterwards platted by Wagner Bros., Ev- 
ans and himself. Mr. Criss built the first dwelling house 
in the town, which at that early day was considered a fine 
structure. The lumber for frames and the doors and win- 
dows was hauled from Dubuque, with ox teams, and 



I 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 539 

this was for several years a tavern and stopping place 
for freighters and travelers. He began the erection of the City 
Saw Mills in 1866, which were not completed until eight years af- 
ter, and during that time cut a race twenty-eight feet deep and two 
hundred feet in length, which gave a fall of nine feet. In 1872 he 
built the flouring mill, which is a three-story building and fit- 
ted with the best of machinery. He owns one thousand acres of 
land adjoining town, and feeds about six car-loads of cattle every 
winter. He owns an elevator and deals in grain in partnership 
with Mr. Hanger, who has charge of the business. Mr. Criss was 
county judge for several years and representative in the State 
legislature. 

Childs Brothers, dealers in dry goods, groceries, hats, caps and 
furnishing goods, came from Fort Dodge, la., where they had 
been engaged in business for ten years, and established their pres- 
ent business in Nov., 1879, in Bank block. They carry a large 
and complete stock. 

J. L. Criss, merchant, was born in AVis., in 1846; came with 
parents to Sac City, la., in 1856. He engaged in business at Grant 
City, remained one year, then moved to this city. He has a fine 
store, and carries a full stock of dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, 
etc. He employs three clerks and does an extensive business. He 
has a branch store at Early, la., which is managed by F. Rodda. 

Levi Davis, cashier of the Sac county bank, was born at New- 
castle, Ind., in 1841; moved with parents to Solon, la., in Septem- 
ber, 1855. He received a diploma from the State Normal School, 
of Iowa City, and in August of the same year moved to Sac City, 
w- here he taught school two years. He went to Marshalltown in 1865 
and was principal of the schools there for a year, then was elected 
county superintendent of schools, which office he held two years 
in Marshall county. He came back to Sac City and taught in the 
city schools for two years; was elected clerk of the courts in 1870 
and county recorder in 1872. He was admitted to the practice of 
law in 1870, at a session of the Sioux Rapids district court, Judge 
H. Ford presiding. He went to California in 1874 and was for 
one year principal of the schools at Martinez; returned to Sac 
county and became cashier of the Sac County Bank, of which he 
is one of the stockholders. 

R. H. Derby, carpenter, contractor and cabinet maker, was born 
in Wyoming county, N. Y., in 1853, where he remained until 
1873, then moved with his father to Sac City, Iowa, where they 
engaged in mercantile business. They sold business and together 
engaged in present business. 

Hon. Ed. R. Duffie is a native of Copenhagen, Lewis county, 
New York, where he resided until he had come to year? of man- 
hood, and where he began the study of law. In 1866 Mr. Duffie 
was sent as agent for a citizen of New York to the State of Texas. 



540 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

His mission was to establish the validity of the grant of certain 
lands from the Republic of Texas to the aforesaid citizen of New 
York. Mr. Duffie left Texas and went to St. Louis, where he 
sought employment through an educational agency, and was 
offered and accepted the principalship of the public school at 
Andrew, Jackson county, Iowa. He came to Sac County in 1866, 
and engaged in teaching. In the spring of 1867 he was admitted 
to the bar. In the spring of 186S he formed a partnership with 
Hon. D. C. Early, and henceforth devoted himself to the practice 
of his profession. In 1869 he was elected County Treasurer of 
Sac County, and in the fall of 1872 was elected Representative in 
the General Assembly. Mr. Duffie, in 1875, accepted the Repub- 
lican nomination for District Judge, and was elected in the fall.* 
Was married in 1867, at Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa. 

Hon. D. Carr Early, president of the Sac County Bank, was 
born in Ohio, in 1830; removed to Sac City, la., in 1856, where at 
that time there was but one building besides a log school house. 
He pre-empted land on which he lived a short time to secure it. 
He v/as elected deputy treasurer and recorder in 1857, and was re- 
elected the three subsequent elections. He was afterwards elected 
county judge, holding the office one term, the office then being 
dispensed with. He established a real estate business when first 
coming to the county, and did a general banking business several 
years previous to connection with jjresent bank. He still does a 
land, loan and insurance business in connection with banking. 
The bank was incorporated in 1876. 

S. M. Elwood, of the firm of Davis & El wood, attorneys at law, 
was bora in Greensburg, Pa., in Sept., 1850; moved with parents 
to Grinnell,Ia., where he attended the Iowa College. He graduated 
from the Iowa City law school in the class of '73. He moved to 
Sac City in the autumn of 1875, and engaged in practice with Capt. 
Stanfield, now of Odebolt. He formed his present partnership in 
1877. He attends strictly to trial business, and is considered one 
of the most successful attorneys in the county. Mr. Davis attends 
to the land, loan and insurance business of the firm. 

N. B. Flack, recorder of Sac county, was born in N. Y. in 1841. 
He enlisted Sept. 2d, 1862, at Lisbon, in the 142nd N. Y. Vol.; 
was at the battle of Fort Fisher, and was subsequently wounded 
in the leg. He was discharged June 16th, 1865, and returned to 
N. Y. In Oct., 1866, he moved to Scott City, Mo., and engaged 
in milling; remained four years, then returned to N. Y. He then 
came to Sac county, la., and purchased land which he improved 
and still owns. In May, 1870, he came to Sac City and was em- 
ployed by Piatt & Criss as book-keeper. He was elected recorder 
in the fall of 1874, to fill a vacancy, and for the full term at the 
next election on the republican ticket. He has been re-elected 
each term since. 



HISTORY OF IOWA ' 541 

John M. Fox, hardware dealer, was born in France in 1836; came 
to America in 1S50. He learned the tinners' trade in N. Y. city, and 
in 1862 moved to AVaterloo, la.; thence to Winona. Minn., where he 
worked at his trade two years, and after visiting N. Y., located at 
Waverly, la., remaining there eight years. He came to Sac City 
in 1871 and engaged in his present l)iisiness. He carries a large 
and complete stock of hardware and tinware. He is assisted in 
his business by his sons, John and George. 

E. F. GifFord, barber, was born in Erie county, Pa., in 1851; 
came to la. in 1871, and located at Independence. He removed to 
Carroll, and in July, 1872, came to Sac City and engaged in pres- 
ent business. He owns the building, of which he occupies one- 
half of the lower floor for a barber shop, renting the other half 
for confectionery store. The upper story is fitted for photograph 
gallery. Mr. Gifford employs a first-class barber and runs two 
chairs. 

D. F. Gifford, druggist, was born in Erie county. Pa., in 1832. 
In Oct., 1851, he moved to Buchanan county, la., and engaged in 
contracting and building, then furniture, then drug business. He 
moved to Sac county in 1807, remaining one and one-half years, 
then moved to Carroll, Carroll county, where he engaged in the 
furniture and drug business, building the first business house in 
the town. In 1871 he sold out and returned to Sac City, engaging 
in carpentry until entering the drug business in July, 1879. His 
store is on upper Main street. He carries a full stock of drugs, 
paints, oils, stationery and toilet goods. He is agent for the 
Chicago Singer sewing machine. 

H. C. Graff, of the firm of Graff Bros. & Whipple, came to Sac 
City in 1880 from Emerson, Mills county, la., where he was en- 
gaged in the hardware business three years. In partnership with 
D. W. Graff and A. A. Whipple, he purchased the stock and busi- 
ness of Terwilleger Bros., and engaged in his present business. 
The business is conducted by H. C. Graff. They carry a full stock 
of hardware, tin and shelf ware, stoves, etc., making specialties of 
builders' hardware and barb wire. They are special agents for the 
Glidden barbed wire, and also for Charter Oak stoves. They em- 
ploy two tinners. 

Charles D. Goldsmith, attorney at law, was born in Middletowu, 
Orange county, N. Y., in 1812; moved to Webster City, la., in 
1869, and there finished the study of law, with Jacob Skinner, 
and was admitted to practice the same year. In 1873 he moved to 
Newell, Buena Vista county, where he practiced seven years. He 
moved to Sac City in 1880, and opened an office in the Commercial 
Bank building. He attends strictly to trial business. 

P. H. Hankins and J. Y. Campfield, of the firm of P. H. Han- 
kins & Co., dealers in lumber, coal, lime and agricultural imple- 



542 ■ HISTORY OF lOAVA. 

ments, established business in 1870. Their office and yards are on 
the west side of the railroad track, near the depot. They are agents 
for the Grand Detour goods, McCormick and Champion reapers 
and other leading manufactures. 

A. H. Hendrickson, proprietor of the Hendrickson House, was 
born in Oswego county, N. Y., in Jan., 1836; moved to McHenry 
county. 111., in 1856, was engaged in the hotel business two years, 
then in the stock business until 1868; then moved to Sac City, en- 
gaged in mercantile business for two years; then engaged in the 
hotel business for a time, after which he farmed for two years. In 
Feb., 1875, he purchased the hotel which he now owns. He en- 
larged the building in 1881 making it the largest hotel in the city. 

Hon. W. H. Hobbs, banker and insurance and real estate agent, 
was born in New York City in 1837; moved with parents to New 
Orleans; thence in 1852 to La Fayette county, Wis., where he was 
employed by Judge Criss, as clerk. He moved to Sac City, la., in 
1855, and pre-empted 160 acres of land and eiigaged in farming. 
In 1858 he was elected clerk of the courts, which office he held 
two terms. He was elected auditor in 1866, which office he held 
until 1871; then was elected county treasurer and held office for 
three terms. He engaged in real estate business in 1873, with D. 
C. Early, and in 1875, in partnership with Early & Davis, estab- 
lished the Sac County bank. He takes charge of the laud and in- 
surance business of the firm. He has a very fine residence in the 
city and owns a half section of farm land three miles north of 
town, and other city and country property. 

D. Herrold and S. F. Lusher, of the firm of D. Herrold & Co., 
deal in groceries, queensware, provisions, etc. Their place of bus- 
iness is on the corner of Main street and public square. The bus- 
iness was established in 1875 by Mr. Lusher and the present firm 
has existed since Nov., 1881. They do an extensive business and 
intend extending their premises the coming season. 

M. H. Herrold, merchant, was born in Athens county, 0., in 
1844; moved with parents to La Porte county, Ind., in 1851. He 
followed farming until 1864, then came to Sac City, la., and en- 
gaged in present business. He carries a well selected stock of dry 
goods, boots, shoes, furnishing goods and notions. He intends in 
the near future to build a brick block, feeling the need of more 
room for his rapidly increasing business. 

Louis Hunefield, proprietor of blacksmith and plow works, was 
born in the province of Lippe Detmold, Germany, in 1829; came 
to the U. S. in 1819, and located at St. Louis, Mo., where he 
worked at his trade one and one-half years, then moved to Dodge 
.county, Wis., where he worked at his trade nearly twenty-two 
years. He came to Sac county in 1872, and engaged in farming 
for a yeaj and a half; then sold part of his farm, retaining eighty 



HI6T0RY OF IOWA. 543 

acres, and moved to Sac City. He was in the employ of Mr. Fish- 
man for about eight years, then purchased the business. He em- 
ploys three men and does a large business . 

Joseph H. James, harness dealer, was born in Iowa county, 
Wis., in 1850, learned his trade at Mineral Point, and in Feb., 
1877, moved to Webster City, la. In June, 1879, he came to Sac 
City and purchased the business and stock of Lewis Vanderworker; 
has since purchased building and lot. He employs three men and 
carries a full stock of harness, saddles, robes, blankets, whips, etc. 
In the spring of 1880 he established a branch shop at Newell, 
Buena Vista county, which is the only one at that place. 

Jones & Baxter, proprietors of the City livery, feed and sale 
barn, established business in 1878. They own and occupy the 
barn on the corner of Fifth and River Sts. Have stalls for forty- 
five horses, keep twenty horses and twelve buggies and carriages 
for livery purposes. This is the only livery barn in the city. 

John Kessler, wagon maker, came to Sac City, la., from Kenosha, 
W^is., in 1872, and established his present business. He occupies 
a shop on the south side of the public square; manufactures 
wagons and buggies and does a general repair business. 

F. H. Knights, of the firm of George Knights & Co., dealers in 
boots, shoes, hats, caps, gloves mittens and rubber goods, came to 
Sac City in Sept., 1881, from Dubuque, la., where he had been en- 
gaged in the jewelry business for three years, and established his 
present business in partnership with his father, George Knights. 
They have the county agency for the Crown sewing machine. 

R. H. Lamoreux, postmaster and druggist, was born in Orange 
county, N. Y., in 1839; moved to Wausau, Wis., and engaged in 
the lumber business. He moved to Sac City, la., in 1808 and en- 
gaged in the grocery business, which he conducted nine months, 
then purchased a farm and for four years engaged in farming. In 
the winter of 1872 he engaged in clerking in the drug store of Eli 
Camp, and also took charge of the postoflice under J. E. Arm- 
strong. He purchased the drug business and stock in the spring 
of 1875 and the following spring was commissioned postmaster. 
His drug store, which is elegantly fitted, contains a full line of 
drugs, stationer}^ books, paints, oils, toilet and fancy articles, etc. 
He is assisted by F. B. Knight, deputy postmaster, and is also a 
registered pharmacist. 

Chas. E. Lane, clerk of the courts, was born in St. Lawrence 
county, N. Y., in 1874; moved with parents to St. Catherines, 
Canada West, in 1846; thence to Dyersville, Dubuque county, la., 
in 1850. He ifioved to Sac county in 1873; bought land and en- 
gaged in farming in Eden township until the autumn of 1878, at 
which time he was elected to his present office, on the republican 
ticket. He was re-elected in ISSO. 



541 ■ HISTORY OF IOWA. 

A. B. Mason, attoruej at law, Avas born in Tama county, la., in 
1857. He attended the Toledo High School for several years and 
afterwards the Iowa College of Law, of Des Moines, from Avhich 
he graduated in 1880. He came to Sac City the same year and 
opened a law office in Sac county bank block, on second floor, also 
does a land, loan and insurance business. 

James N. Miller, editor and proprietor of the Sac Snn, is a 
native of Pa., and was for several years editor of the liepiihlican, 
published at Waynesburg. In 1870 he came to Iowa and located 
at Eldora, Hardin county, remained only a short time, then came 
to Sac City, and established the Sac Sun. which has grown to im- 
portance and is the official paper of the county. In 1878 he built 
the new office which he now occupies. The paper is an eight- 
column folio, and has a circulation of eight hundred. Mr. Miller 
is prepared to do first-class job work of all kinds. 

H. T. Martin, county superintendent of schools, was born in 
Putnam county, Ind., in 1839; moved with parents to Boone 
county, la., in 1853. He returned to Ind. in 1855, and attended 
the Cloverdale Seminary for two years; spent the following winter 
in Mo., and in 1858 returned to Boone county, la. He engaged 
in teaching school, and for twelve years taught in that county. 
He then entered the employ of the railroad company and was 
agent at Ontario, Story county, for eight years, and for four years 
at Odebolt, Sac county, where, in partnership with Mr. Bennett, the 
present editor, he established the Odebolt Observer. He was also 
engaged in the restaurant business ten months. In the fall of 
1881 he was elected county superintendent, on the independent 
ticket. 

George M. Parker, merchant, was born in Hartford, 111., in 1847; 
moved with parents to Manchester, la., in 1851; thence to Delhi, 
where he received his education. He traveled for wholesale houses 
of Chicago and Dubuque for six years. In 1872 he engaged in 
business at Earlville, la., and two years later came to Sac City and 
established his present business. The store is in the Bank block. 
In 1881 he commenced the erection of a creamery, which is fitted 
with a ten-horse power engine, and will have a capacity of from 
2,500 to 3,000 lbs. per day. This is the only creamery in the 
county; it will employ from fifteen to twenty teams, and from 
twenty to thirty men. Mr. P. has for two years previous conducted 
the business on a smaller scale. 

A. D. Peck, county auditor, was born in Onondaga county, N. 
Y., in 1846. He graduated from the Syracuse High School in 
1872 and the same year moved to Cedar Rapids, Ia« He came to 
Sac county in the spring of 1873 purchased land fmd engaged in 
farming until the autumn of 1877, when he. was elected auditor 
and was re-elected in 1879 and 1881. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 545 

Asa Piatt, stock dealer and farmer^was born in Middlesex county, 
Conn., in 1830; moved with parents to Chautauqua county. X. Y., 
in 1839; thence in 1848 to Erie county, Penn.. and engafjed in the 
lumber l)usiness. In 1856 he moved to Sac City, la., which had 
just been laid out and contained only two log cabins. He pre- 
empted land near town, one hundred acres of which he laid out in 
town lots, and nearly all of which he has since sold. He engaged 
in mercantile business in 1864, which he continued for twelve 
years. In 1874 he erected a tine brick and stone residence in the 
city, at a cost of ten thousand dollars. He carries on his farm and 
is extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock. 

J. 0. Piatt, of the firm of Schaller & Piatt, proprietors of meat 
Haarket, was born at Saybrook, Conn., in Dec, 183G; removed with 
parents to Chautauqua county, N. Y., in 1839. In 1850 he moved 
to Erie county. Pa., was employed for a time in a meat market, 
and afterwards engaged in business for himself; sold out in 18G6 
and moved to Sac county, la. He engaged in farming until 1S74 
when he moved to Sac City and opened a meat market which he 
run three years then sold. He next engaged in the stock business 
for several years, and in Aug., 1881, bought an interest in his pres- 
ent business. Mr. P. has been a member of the board of super- 
visors. 

A. S. Piatt, senior member of the firm of Piatt & Piatt, dealers 
in clothing and furnishing goods, was born in Windsor county, 
Vt., in 1839; moved to Dubuque, la., in 1870 and was in the em- 
ploy of the I. C. R. R. four years. He moved to Osage, Wis., and 
was for about six years a member of the firm of Simons & Piatt. 
■ grocers. He came to Sac City, la., in Dec, 1880, and purchased 
business and stock of J. M. Woodard and engaged in his present 
business. In 1881 he took into partnership his nephew C. A. Piatt. 

C. E. Read, furniture dealer and undertaker, was born in March, 
Canada, Dec. 20th, 1826; moved to Toledo, 0.. in April, 1856; was 
engaged in the drug business four years; then moved to Huron 
county, Mich., where he was engaged in same business for three 
years. In Aug., 1865, he came to Sac City and engaged in con- 
tracting and building. He entered his present business in 1873; 
employs first-class cabinet-maker, and carries a fine stock of every- 
thing in his line. 

E. M. Reynolds is business manager for C. Hatfield, furniture 
dealer and undertaker. This business was established in 1879, and 
contains a complete stock of furniture and undertakers" goods, and 
is the agency for the White, Wilson and Victor sewing machines, 
also for the Mason it Hamlin organs. 

Philip Schaller, county treasurer, was born in Woerth. provinc^e 
of Alsace, Germany, in 1838; came to America and landed at N. 
Y". City in Apr., 1854, and in Dec. of the same year located at 
Dubuque, la., and engaged in wagon-making. He enlisted in 



546 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

1862 at National, la., in the 27th la. Inft., was sent to Minn, 
among the Indians, and thence south; was with Gens. Sherman, 
Smith, Steele and Thomas in some of the principal battles; was 
mustered out at the close of the war, and returned to Clayton 
county, la. He purchased land in Sac county in 1868, returned 
to Clayton county and remained until 1870, then engaged in 
farming in Sac county, on 61:0 acres of land. He was agent for 
the Iowa Railroad Land company while living on the farm, and 
was afterwards transferred to Storm Lake, and held the agency for 
Buena Vista county until he was elected treasurer of Sac county 
in 1877", to which office he has been re-elected each successive term 
since. He is now land agent for this county, having been ap- 
pointed in Jan., 1878. He has been a member of the board of 
supervisors of this county for five years. He organized a Farmers' 
Mutual Insurance Co. in 1871, and was elected as its President, 
which office he still holds. The insurance company has about 
$800,000, issued ih policies and on property. 

J. & VV. C. Shull, of the firm of Shull Bros., dealers in lumber, 
lime, coal, hair, cement, etc., office on Main street, established 
business in 1880. They were formerly of Montgomery county, 
N. Y. J. Shull graduated from the Fairfield Seminary and entered 
the employ of Walter Shoemaker, lumber dealer, Chicago, 111.; 
came to Sac City in 1880. W. C. Shull, previous to coming to 
this city, was engaged in the drug business at Little Falls, N. Y.; 
afterwards Avith I). R. Dyche & Co., druggists, Chicago; came to 
Sac City in May, 1881, and formed present partnership. 

George A. Smith, watchmaker and jeweler, was born in Belvi- 
dere, 111., in 1851; moved to Waverly, Bremer county, la., in 
1855. He attended the high school, at Y'psilanti, Mich., from 
1868 to 1872; returned to Bremer county and learned his trade. 
He moved to Sac City in Dec, 1871, and established his present 
business in the Commercial Bank block. He keeps a fine line of 
clocks, watches, jewelry, silverware and opticans' goods, and in 
connection carries a fine stock of stationery,* books and newspapers. 

Rev. Robert Smylie, pastor of the M. E. church, was born in 
Ontario, Canada, in 1819. He graduated from Victoria College, 
Coburg, in 1868; entered the ministry the following year and filled 
various pulpits in Ontario. He was ordained at Dunville, in 1873; 
in Oct., 1880, he came to Sac City, la., and took present charge. 

George Stanley, proprietor of the Stanley House, came to Sac 
City in May, 1881, from Bloomington, Wis., Avhere he had been 
engaged in the mercantile business for eleven years. He pur- 
chased his present hotel property, and after thoroughly renovating 
and refitting it, engaged in present business. He keeps a first- 
class house and runs a 'bus to and from trains. 

B. W. Trout, deputy recorder, was born in LeRoy, Bradford 
county. Pa., in March, 1813. He enlisted in the 106th Pa. Vol., 
and was in several of the most important engagements cf the war. 



HISTORY OF IO^VA. 547 

He was woimded at Gettysburg and also at Petersburg, June, 1864, 
where he was captured and confined in Libby Prison a few days; 
started for Macon, Ga., and e-^caped, was recaptured and taken to 
Lynchburg, Va., thence to fialeigh, N. C. He was paroled in 
March, 1865, and discharged the following April. He came to 
Sac City, la., in May, 1867, and engaged in farming one season; 
taught school the following M'inter, and continued teaching until 
1871, Avhen he was appointed deputy treasurer, which office he held 
until 1878, excepting during the year 1874. He then filled a 
vacancy as recorder, and was appointed deputy upon Mr. Flack's 
being elected recorder. Mrs. B. W. Trout, milliner, established 
business in Dec, 1880. She carries a full and elegant line of mil- 
linery and ladies' furnishing goods, and employs a first-class mil- 
liner trimmer. 

Henry L. Willson, sheriff, Avas born in St. Lawrence county, N. 
Y., in 1841; moved with parents in 1851, to Dundas county, Can- 
ada West. In 1869 he moved to Clinton, Clinton county, la., and 
engaged in contracting and building; thence to Sac county in the 
autumn of 1875 and followed same business. He was elected to 
his present office in the autumn of 1881 and moved to Sac City iiji 
Jan., 1882. 

Christopher Waddell, collection agent and auctioneer, was born 
in Oxford, Eng. He was for several years in the Royal Mail West 
India service, also East India service. In 1851 he came to Amer- 
ica and located at York, Dane county. Wis.; was engaged in farm- 
ing, also livery business. In 1872 came to Sac City and engaged'in 
the livery business. He was elected sherift' in 187G and re-elected 
in 1877 and 1879 on the Democratic ticket, the county being re- 
publican by a majority of nine hundred. This speaks well for Mr. 
W.'s popularity. 

John L. Woodward, junior member and business manager of the 
firm of Condron & Woodward, dealers in grain and machinery, was 
born in Champaign county, 0. He served during the war of the 
rebellion a short time, doing garrison duty, after which he bought 
land in Dallas county, la. He engaged in the grain business at 
Dallas Centre, which he .continued for two years and in 1871 lo- 
cated at Sac City, where he engaged in the mercantile business. 
In 1880 established business as above. During 1881 the firm shipped 
one hundred cars of grain. 

ODEBOLT. 

F. R. Bennett is editor and proprietor of the Odebolt Observer, 
which Avas established in July, 1880, and is a six-column quarto 
paper. In 1847 he edited and published the Advertiser, at Rock 
Island, 111., afterwards was connected Avith various papers in Clin- 
ton county, la. He came to Odebolt in 1880. This is the only 



648 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

democratic paper published in the county and it has a subscription 
list of about 500. Office on second floor of Schmitz block and is 
thoroughly fitted up as a job office. He employs three compositors. 

C. D. Boardman, physician and drug<?ist, was borii at Potsdam, 
St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1854; moved w^ith parents to Lyons, 
Clinton county, la.; there attended school, and in 1871 entered the 
Agricultural College, of Ames. He graduated in 1874 and in the 
winter of same year entered the Chicago Medical College, from 
which he graduated in the spring of 1877. The same year he 
opened an office at Monticello, la., also engaged in the drug busi- 
ness, in partnership with Dr. Mellett; at the end of one year Dr. 
Boardman became sole proprietor. In May, 1880, he moved the 
stock to Odebolt and established his present business. 

J. C. Bodine, farmer and stock raiser, was born in N. Y. in 
1835; in 18G5 moved to Aurora, 111., where he engaged in the stock 
business. He moved to Grinnell, la., in 1868; thence to Sac coun- 
ty, in 1874. He purchased in Cook township, where he now re- 
sides, a farm of 320 acres, which is well improved. He also owns 
another farm, containg IGO acres, which he rents. Mr. B. is one 
of the representative farmers of this county; has filled many offices 
of trust; in politics is a democrat. 

S. H. Bowman, of the firm of S. H. Bowman & Co., dealers in 
lumber, coal, lime and mixed paints, was born in Baltimore, Md., 
in March, 1854. In 1873 he entered the Business College of 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated in May, 1874. He 
went to Neb. in 1878, and was engaged in the lumber business at 
various towns. In March, 1880, he came to Odebolt, la., and 
established the above business; he is the senior member and busi- 
ness manager of the firm, which has branch yards at Ida Grove, 
Battle Creek and Danbury. 

J. W. Burnside, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, notions, car- 
pets, etc., was born in Steuben county, N. Y.', in 1833; moved 
with parents to Crawford county, la., when Cjuite young. He 
received his education at the Methodist University of Delaware, 
0., afterwards attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, 
of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1854. He then engaged 
in the mercantile business at Garden Prairie, 111. In the spring 
of 1862 he enlisted in the 95th, Ill.Inft.; remained in the service 
until 1866. During that time he was transferred from the vol- 
unteer service to the regular army. He was in several important 
engagements, was wounded at the seige of Vicksburg, also at Fort 
Du Risse. After leaving the army he located at Boone, la., and 
engaged in mercantile business. In 1878 came to Odebolt and en- 
gaged in business as above. 

Frank L. Dennis, editor and proprietor of the Odebolt Observer, 
was born in Clinton county, la., in 1852. He learned his trade in 
the DeWitt Observer office; remained there until 1878,then moved 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 549 

to Wall Lake, Sac county, auel established the Wall Lake Journal, 
which ke sold in April, 1881. He came to Odebolt and purchased 
the Odebolt Reporter, which was first established at Sac City by 
W. W. Yarham, Avho moved it to this city in November, 1877. 
The office is in the basement of Wright's Opera Block and is fitted 
for a first-class news and job office. The paper is republican in 
politics, is a six-column quarto, with a subscription list of six 
hundred. 

Henry Dockstader, proprietor of the Revere House, was born in 
Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1836; moved in 1842 to Tioga county. 
Pa.; thence to Jones county, Li., in 1857. He there engaged in 
farming until 1872, then moved to Panora, Guthrie county, where 
he farmed until the autumji of 1881. He came to Odebolt and 
took charge of the Odebolt House, which he thoroughly renovated 
and refitted, changing the name to Revere. It is now a first-class 
hotel. 

Alfred G. Erlenboru, dealer in general merchandise, was born 
at Mendota, III., in 1860. He received his education at the Jesuit 
College, of Chicago_, 111., from which he graduated in 1875. He 
entered the banking house of Erlenborn Bros., at Mendota, of 
which bank his father was the senior partner. In 1879 he went 
to Denver, Col., was there employed as bookkeeper in a wholesale 
grocery house. He returned to Iowa in 1881 and located at Ode- 
bolt. He engaged in the loan business and also as bookkeeper for 
AVarneke. Afterwards engaged in business as above; also does a 
loan and insurance business; is assisted by his brothers, Otto and 
Julius and W. Pitschner. 

C. E. George, of the firm of George & Coy, attorneys at law, was 
born at Alexandria, Grafton county, N. H., Dec. 20th, 1857. He 
received his education at the high school of Bristol, N. H., and the 
New London, N. H., and Newbury, Vt., Academies. He read law 
for two years with Hon. S. B. Page, at Woodville, Vt., and in 1879 
graduated from the Vermont University, obtaining the degree of 
A. B. He also graduated from the law department of the Ann 
Arbor, Mich., University. He came to Odebolt, la., in March, 
1880, and engaged in the practice of his profession. During the 
summer of the same year he formed a partnership as above. Dell 
Coy, of the above firm, was born in Kane county, 111., Aug. 15th, 
1857. He received his education at Wheaton College, Wheaton, 
111., and in 1878 entered the Union College of law. at Chicago, 
from which he graduated in 1880. Came to Odebolt the same 
year. They attend strictly to law, collection and insurance busi- 
ness, and although both young, have placed themselves in the 
foremost ranks of the profession. 

A. Groman, M. D., was born in Lake county, Ind., in 1856. He 
received his preparatory education at Crown Point Seminary and 
studied medicine with his father, Dr. C. Groman. In the autumn 



550 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

of 1876 he entered the Homoeopathic College, of Chicago, from 
which he graduated in March, 1878. He opened an office at Ode- 
bolt, la., in June of the same year. Office on second floor of 
Wright's Opera block; consultation room adjoining. 

Henry Hanson, grain, seed and stock dealer, was born in Swe- 
den; came to America in 1868 and landed in N, Y.; remained in 
that state until 1874, when he came to Sac county, la. He pur- 
chased land and farmed until 1877, then moved to Odebolt and en- 
gaged in present business. He owns a steam elevator fitted with 
all of the latest improved machinery, employs nine men in eleva- 
tors and warehouses, two bookkeepers and C. B. Hatfield, grain 
and stock buyer. 

W. A. Helsell, of the firm of Zane & Helsell, attorneys at law, 
was born in Millersburg, 0., in 1855; moved with parents to Iowa 
in 1861. He graduated in the scientific course at the Ames Agri- 
cultural^College in 1877 and in 1879 graduated from the law de- 
partment of Simpson's Centenary College. He was admitted to 
the bar before the supreme court at Des Moines, June 9th, 1879, 
and in the. July following formed a partnership as above. He at- 
tends to the law and trial business and Mr. Zane to the loan, insur- 
ance and abstract business of the firm. They have a complete set 
of abstract books. 

Martin Keck, proprietor of restaurant, ice cream and oyster 
parlors, also dealer in fancy groceries, confectionery, cigars, to- 
bacco, etc., came to Sac county, la., in 1878; engaged in farming, 
then came to Odebolt and established business as above. 

J. H. Kitterer & Co., proprietors of the Pioneer hardware store, 
which was established in 1878 by W. Van Dusen, purchased the 
business in Aug., 1879. The firm is composed of J. H. Kitterer 
and Joseph Mattes; they are men of long experience in the hard- 
ware business, having previous to coming to this city been en- 
gaged in the same. They carry a stock estimated at ^18,000, and 
do a driving business. They employ one clerk and three tinners. 
Make specialties of Glidden barbed wire, "Splendid" heating 
stoves, "Diamond" and "Acorn" cook stoves. 

C. S. Lee, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, came to Denison, 
la., in 1869 from Philadelphia, Pa. In May, 1877, he moved to 
Odebolt, and opened a restaurant; two years later added a full stock 
of groceries. He has since closed out the restaurant and now 
attends strictly to his fast increasing grocery trade, 

Joseph Mercer, dealer in agricultural implements, was born in 
Beaver county, Pa., March 1st, 1856; moA'ed the same year with 
parents to De Kalb county. 111, In June, 1880, he entered the 
employ of the Sandwich manufacturing company, at Sandwich, 
111.; traveled for them until Nov., 1881, when he located at Ode- 
bolt and engaged in business as above. He is agent for the goods 



IIISTOKY OF IOWA. 551 

manufactured by the following named firms: Sandwich Co., 
Briggs & Enochs. Scandia Plow Co.. of Rockford, 111., Vandiver 
Co., of Quincy, 111., Daly Harrow Co. and others. 

E. A. Moody, painter and grainer, was born in Milwaukee, Wis. 
in 1848; was educated at Notre Dame College, of South Bend, 
Ind, In 1861 he enlisted in the regular army, and served during 
the war of the rebellion. Was discharged in 1865; returned to Mil- 
waukee and learned his trade, in 18(38 he moved to Cincinnati, 
0., where he remained one year, then Avent west, and after a time 
located at Yankton, Dak. He returned to Milwaukee and soon 
after moved to Cherokee, la.; was there engaged in business three 
years. In Dec, 1878, he came to Odebolt and engaged in busi- 
ness. He does a good business and employs five men. 

Frank A. Rcss, insurance agent, came to Odebolt from Boone, 
la., where he had resided for twenty-five years. He first engaged 
in teaching school, and in Feb., 1880, established business as above. 
His ofhce is at the Mayors office, over the City Drug Store. He 
is agent for the Home Life Association, of Burlington, Iowa, for 
three counties, Sac, Crawford and Carroll. 

H. F. Warneke, dealer in grain and stock, came to Odebolt. la., 
from Plattville, Wis., in 1879. He established a saloon, which he 
continued until Aug., 1881, and in the Sept. following he estab- 
lished his present business. He has shipped since establishing 
business to Jan. 1st, 1882, two hundred car loads. His ware- 
house has a capacity of ten thousand bushels; employs five men. 

H. C. Wheeler, farmer and stock raiser, was born May 10th. 
1835, atHopkinton, N. H.; the following year moved with par- 
ents to Chicago, 111. He there received his education and finished 
at the Academy of Warrensville. In 185i he went to San Fran- 
cisco, Cal.; there engaged in the real estate business, and after two 
years i*eturned to Chicago. He remained two years and again 
went to San Francisco. He became one of the first members of 
the San Francisco Stock Exchange and remained there until 1864. 
After spending one and one-half years traveling in Europe, he 
came to Sac county, la., and invested in real estate and com- 
menced extensive farming operations. He now owns a large tract 
of land adjoining Odebolt on three sides. Also one thousand 
acres in Plymouth county, and one thousand acres in Crawford 
county. In 1877 he donated the right of way, town site and 
$2,000 in cash to the railroad company. He laid out and owns 
two additions to the town of about one hundred acres. He resides 
in Wheeler township, three miles from the city; has three l)oarding 
houses on the farm, employs forty men and fifty teams. He ha.s a 
herd of sixty head of Short Horn cattle and forty Clydesdale 
horses and colts, besides other stock. He has spent considerable 
time in making practical a steam plow for use on his farm; it in- 



552 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

eludes ten plows in a frame. Mr. Wheeler is one of the directors 
of the State Fair Association. He owns valuable property in 
Chicago. 

John Wright, banker, came from Cedar county, la., to Sac 
county in 1872. He purchased 1,000 acres of land in partnership 
with his brother, N. Wright, and engaged in farming until Nov., 
1878, at which time he opened the bank, having previously erected 
the bank block, the front room of which is occupied by the bank 
and contains a fire-proof vault and a Marvin safe, with an electric 
time-lock. The rear room is occupied by Geoi-ge & Coy, attorneys. 
Mr. Wright does an extensive loan business in partnership with C. 
E. George. He has recently erected, on the corner of Second and 
Maple streets, a brick block, containing two store rooms below and 
two offices in front on second floor, and fine opera hall in rear. 
This hall is well fitted with stage, scenery, dressing rooms and 
well lighted. He also owns other valuable city property. 

Wheelock & Rehterger, dealers in agricultural implements, on 
corner of Second and Maple sts., handle McCormick's goods, also 
goods from all the leading firms, including Cook's buggies and 
carriages. R. U. Wheelock has been in the employ of the Mc- 
Cormick Co. for fifteen years, and is a man of extensive exper- 
ience with machinery. Mr. Rehterberger is by trade a black- 
smith, and owns a shop in the rear of warehouse, on Maple street, 
where he employs two men. He does a large business, making a 
specialty of wagon and buggy w^ork. 

Winchell & Webster are grain dealers and proprietors of the 
Star store. The grain business was established in Oct., 1879. They 
have three flax and wheat warehouses on First st., with capacity of 
forty thousand bushels. They shipped during the year 1881 three 
hundred cars of grain. They also own a coal yard. The 
store, which is situated on First and Second sts. — the 
building running through from, one to the other — is two stories 
high; the first is occupied by dry goods, groceries, queensware and 
clothing, the second by boots, shoes, carpets and gentlemen's 
furnishing goods. They carry an average stock of $20,000, and 
employ three clerks and a book-keeper. Messrs. Winchell & 
Webster were formerly of Chicago; the former was there engaged 
in a wholesale house, and the latter in the coal trade. 

John M. Zane, of the firm of Zane & Helsell, attorneys at law, 
was born in Cumberland county, N. J., Oct. 16th, 1845. He re- 
ceived his education at Bridgeton. At an early age he moved to 
Philadelphia, Pa.; during the rebellion he was for two years a 
member of the U. S. quartermaster's department. In Sept., 1866, 
he went to Springfield, 111., there read law in the office of Hern- 
don & Zane; He taught school at intervals Avhile reading law; in 
Feb., 1872, he moved to Jasper county, la., and in Dec, 1873, 
was admitted to the bar at Newton, under Judge L. C. Blanchard. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 553 

He began the practice of law at Prairie City. In 1874, on account 
of failing health, he went to Colorado and spent two years travel- 
ing in the Rocky Mountains; then returned to Prairie l,City, la. 
He came to Odebolt in 1877 and opened a law office, and in July 
of the following year formed his present partnership. 

WALL LAKE. 

H. B. Allen, postmaster of the firm of Allen & Jacobs, dealers in 
hardware and agricultural implements, was born in ('linton coun- 
ty, N. Y., in 1835; moved to Elgin, 111., in 1855, and engaged in 
farming. In 1860 moved to De Kalb county, 111. He enlisted in 
the 95th 111. Vol. Inft., served three years. He was with Gen. 
Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, and was wounded, losing a por- 
tion of his right hand; was discharged in July, 1865. In 1867 he 
came to Sac count}^ la., and engaged in farming. He moved to 
Wall Lake in the autumn of 1874, and established present busi- 
ness. He was appointed postmaster in May, 1881. Mr. Jacobs, 
formerly of Benton county, la., became a member of the firm in 
Jan., 1882. They carry a large and complete stock of hardware. 
The agricultural warehouse is on the corner of Main and First 
sts. They handle goods from all the leading manufactories. 

George Burgaii, grain dealer and manager of D. Wayne & Co.'s 
business at Wall Lake, was born in W^ayne county, 0., in 1845; 
moved with parents to Muscatine, la. In 1863 he enlisted in the 
35th la. Vol. Lift.; was at the sieges of Vicksburg, Nashville, 
Pleasant Hill; was up the Red river with Gen, Banks. He was dis- 
charged in 1865, and returned to Iowa. In 1867 he located in 
Carroll county and engaged in farming until 1874, when he en- 
gaged in the grain business. Office and warehouse on First st. 
They shipped during the year 1881 one hundred cars of grain. 

Frank Chandler, dealer in hats, caps, boots, shoes, clothing, 
furnishing goods and groceries, was born in Maquoketa, la., in 
Sept., 1849, there resided until 1870, then moved to Lyons, la., 
as agent for the Northern and Diamond Joe packet lines, and after 
two vears, became book-keeper for the Clinton Chair Co.. after 
which he traveled forS. G. McGill, and later for H. C. & C. Durand, 
wholesale grocers, with whom he remained five years, then located 
at Wall Lake, Employs two clerks. 

W. L. Ehlers, bookkeeper for Wilcox Bros., lumber dealers, was 
born in Oskaloosa, la., in Feb., 1866. In 1872 he entered the 
State University, at Iowa City. In the winter of 1876 he took 
charge of the poultry packing establishment of Beem, Turner & 
Co.; remained with them two years and moved to Wall Lake; en- 
tered the employ of J. C. Fletcher, dealer in general merchandise. 
He engaged as above in 1879. 

34 



551 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

J. Elliott, proprietor of the Eureka House, came to Wall Lake 
in Feb., 1882, from Ames, where he had resided for twenty years. 
The hotel is on the corner of Main and First streets, is w^ell fur- 
nished and a first-class house. 

J. J. Fones & Sons, grain dealers, formerly of Chicago, 111., 
where thej were engaged in the livery business several years; 
came to Wall Lake, la., in Jan., 1881, and purchased the elevator 
and business of G. W. Pitcher. Elevator has capacity of ten 
thousand bushels, and employs two men. During the year 1881 
they shipped two hundred cars of grain. The business is conducted 
by J. J. Fones, Jr.; office on 1st street. 

~E. L. Pierce, dealer in hardware, tinware, stoves, etc., was born 
in Linn county, la., in Oct., 1850; received education at Mt. Ver- 
non College, and engaged in farming until 187-1, then moved to 
Cedar county and engaged in milling with Peet Bros. He remained 
there four years then moved to Wall Lake and engaged in present 
business in March, 1878. He makes specialties of Fuller, Warren 
& Co.'s stoves and the Glidden barbed wire. 

C. F. Peck, dealer in general merchandise, was born in New 
London, Conn., in 1845; moved to Oneida, 111., when thirteen years 
of age, and worked on a farm until Oct. ,1863, then enlisted in the 
8th 111. Vol. Inft. and served until the close of the war. He re- 
turned to 111. and remained three years; afterwards moved to Jef- 
ferson, la. He was engaged as carpenter until 1877, then engaged 
in mercantile business. He came to Wall Lake in 1880 and en- 
gaged in business as above; carries a fine stock of clothing, boots 
and shoes. 

W. H. Peck, dealer in lumber, coal, lime, etc., was born in 
Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1854; received his education from the 
High School of Syracuse. In 1879 he moved to Sac county, la., 
and in the autumn of the same year purchased above business of 
H. J. Simpson. Office on Main street, near depot. He is assisted 
by F. M. Gregg. 

C. L. Sherwood, agent for the Iowa Land company, was born in 
Berlin township, Delaware county, 0., in June, 1817; remained 
there until 1854, and then moved to Clinton, la., where he en- 
gaged in farming. In 1873 he came to Sac county, purchased 
land in Clinton township, which he improved, and still owns, the 
farming being conducted by his sons. Mr. Sherwood was for 
several years postmaster at Wall Lake, also was postmaster in 
Clinton tp. before the office was abandoned. He became agent for 
the above company in 1873; office with W. H. Peck, lumber 
dealer. Mr. S. is one of the solid republicans of this county. 

N. W^right, president of the bank of Wall Lake, was born in 
Cedar county, la., in 1846; resided there until the autumn of 1871, 
then purchased 320 acres of land in Sac county, on which he 



HISTORY OF TOWA. 555 

moved the spring following. He farmed until Feb., 1882, when 
he established the bank. Does a general banking business; this is 
the only established bank in Wall Lake. W. S. Bell, the cashier, 
is a gentleman of extensive experience in the banking business. 

FLETCHER. 

W. H. Ball, of the firm of W. H. Ball & Co., dealers in grain 
and seed, was born in Cedar county, la., in 1853. He was en- 
gaged in the grain business at Centerdale, Clinton county, for nine 
years. In 1880 came to Fletcher and was the first to locate busi- 
ness there. 

D. C. Cook, M. D., of the firm of L. A. Chapman & Co., drug- 
gists, was born in N. Y. in May, 1850. He received preparatory 
education at Mt. Vernon, la., and graduated from the State Uni- 
versity at Iowa City in March, 1873. He commenced the practice 
of medicine at Calamus. In Aug., 1881, he moved to Fletcher 
and formed present partnership. They carry a complete line of 
drugs, paints, oils, toilet articles, etc. 

Albert Davis, station agent and proprietor of the Lake House, 
came to Sac county in March, 1877, from Clinton county, la. He 
purchased land in Wall Lake township. At the time of the tornado 
of April 21st of same year, he was living in a portion of his barn, 
which was entirely destroyed together with his household goods, 
his family happily escaping unhurt. He afterwards built a house 
20x30 feet in dimensions and had just got settled in it when it 
was entirely destroyed by the tornado of Oct. 15th, of same year. 
In Dec, 1881, he moved to Fletcher and built the hotel. He car- 
ries a stock of confectionery, cigars and fancy groceries. 

J. C. Fletcher, founder of the new town of Fletcher, was born 
in Franklin, Ind., in 1819; the same year moved with parents to Os- 
kaloosa, la. He enlisted in 1861 in the 47tli la. Inft., and served 
until the close of the war. He returned to Oskaloosa, and in 1873 
moved to Sheffield where he engaged in business for two years, 
then moved to Wall Lake, where he engaged in the mercantile bus- 
iness. In Oct., 1880, he purchased the town site of Fletcher which 
he laid out in town lots and placed in the market, now.it is a lively 
growing town and is situated near a beautiful lake. Mr. Fletcher 
formed a partnership in March, 1881, wnth H. W. Seevers, built a 
business house on Main street and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness. Mr. Seevers was born in Oskaloosa in 1859 and came to this 
place in the spring of 1880. 

C. P. Hicks, of the firm of W. H. Ball & Co., was born in Phil- 
adelphia, Pa., in Oct., 1818. He graduated at the Bryant & Strat- 
ton College and was for several years in the employ of a commis- 
sion house in Philadelphia, as bookkeeper and entry clerk. He 



556 HISTOKY OF IOWA. 

moved to Cedar county, la., in 1874; thence to Sac county in Mar., 
1881, purchased land near Fletcher and engaged in present busi- 
ness. From Aug., 1881, to Feb., 1882, they shipped sixty cars of 
grain. 

Rev. William N. McKendrick, undertaker and dealer in furniture 
was born in Edinburg, Scotland, in 1832; came to America with 
parents and located in N. Y. In 1847 he moved to Western N. 
Y. He attended the Baptist College, of Montreal, Canada, for 
three years, and entered the University in 1859. He was ordained 
in Michigan, Sept. 20th, 1875. He located at Mapleton, la., in 
1879, and was pastor of the Baptist church there for two years. 
He resigned in Sept., 1881; came to Fletcher, purchased property 
and engaged in present business. He is pastor here and preaches 
every Sabbath at the school house. 

Charles Potts, farmer and land agent, was born in Ross county, 
0., in 1832. He served during the war of the rebellion in the 
28th 111. Vol. Inft., was wounded at Jackson, Miss. He came to 
Sac county in 1871 and purchased land on the north shore of 
Wall Lake. He owns one hundred acres of well improved land 
one and one-half miles east of Fletcher. He is agent for non- 
resident lands in this vicinity, also for the Acme pulverizing har- 
row and clod crusher. 

J. 0. Rich, proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stables, was for- 
merly of Independence, la., where he was engaged as mason and 
plasterer for four years. In 1878 he moved to Sac county, pur- 
chased land in Wall Lake township, which he still owns. In 
Feb., 1882, he moved to Fletcher and erected a livery barn on 
Third St. 

W. A. Robinson, postmaster and hardware merchant, was born 
inVt. inl815. He moved to Stockbridge, Mass., when quite 
young; in 1856 moved to Mercer county. 111., and engaged in farm- 
ing until 1869; then moved to Sac county, purchased land in Viola 
township, which he improved and still owns. He moved to 
Fletcher in Jan., 1882, and filled the ofiice of postmaster, to 
which he was appointed in Dec, 1881. He erected building on 
Main st., which is occupied by postoffice and hardware stock. Mr. 
Robinson has filled many minor offices, was the first justice of 
the peace in Viola township. He has a notary public commission, 
and does a general collecting business, is agent for several insur- 
ance companies. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 557 



IDA COUNTY, 



Ida County is in the fourth tier of counties from the northern 
boundary of the state, and is the second east of the Missouri 
River. It contains 432 square miles or 276,480 acres. The Maple 
River runs through the county from northeast to southwest. Its 
principal branches are the Odebolt and Elk, flowing in from the 
east, and Battle Creek from the west. Soldier River flows west- 
ward through the southern tier of townships. There are many 
smaller streams draining the county in all parts. The valleys of 
the streams are unsurpassed in fertility, and Maple Valley is espec- 
ially noted for the beauty and fertility of its farming lands. Ma- 
ple RiA er, in this county, furnishes several mill sites. The gen- 
eral character of the surface is undulating or rolling prairie, though 
no portion is too broken for cultivation. The soil in the valleys 
is a dark mould, in manv places from three to six feet deep. The 
uplands contain more clay, and are well adapted to the raising of 
wheat and all the cereal crops. This, like other counties in this 
part of the state, has but a limited supply of timber. We have it 
on authority of the county surveyor that this county has only 
about 1,000 acres of natural timber, about one-half of this being 
in Ida Grove, which is situated on Maple River in about the cen- 
ter of the county. It is mostly oak, walnut, linn, elm and hick- 
ory. The white or soft maple skirts the borders of the streams in 
many places. 

Among the wild fruits, the plum, grape, gooseberry and straw- 
berry are found. Stock-raising and dairying succeed well in this 
county, as it is unsurpassed for pasturage or hay. The wild grass 
known as the blue-joint predominates in the valleys, and in many 
places the yield of hay is as high as four tons per acre. Fine well 
water is found in almost any locality by digging to a moderate 
depth, rarely exceeding twent3-five feet. No regularly stratified 
rock formations appear at the surface. The only rocks obtained 
in the county are the boulders. An abundance of material suit- 
able for the manufacture of brick is found in all parts of the 
county. The bluff deposit, which overspreads the entire county, 
has been successfully used for making brick of a good quality. 
The principal productions are wheat, oats, corn, rye and 
potatoes. All kinds of vegetables and root cro])s common to the 
latitude succeed well. The various kinds of small fruits are easily 
raised, as Avell as some varieties of cherries and ujiples. 

The first authentic account of the early settlement of Ida coun- 
tv was that, in 1854, of Robert Towusley and Edward Smith, who 



558 HISTORY OF IOWA, 

built a cabin and raised a small crop of sod corn. During the 
same summer Samuel King settled about a mile further down the 
valley, and broke up a small farm. These, however, proved to be 
but transient settlers. 

The first permanent settlement of whites in Ida County was 
made in Ida Grove, on Maple River, in 1856. The settlers were 
E. Comstock, from Michigaa, and Judge John H. Morehead,whose 
family still resides at Ida Grove. 

The county was organized in 1858. The first election was held 
at Ida Grove in August of that year, when the following officers 
were elected: John H. Moorehead, County Judge; J. S. Loveland, 
Treasurer and Recorder, and B. Warren, Clerk of the District 
Court. At this time the population of the county was only about 
forty persons. Since that the population has increased very rap- 
idly and in 1880 was 4,382. The county has settled very fast 
within the past twct years and 5,500 may now be considered a low 
estimate of population. The present county officers are: Isaac 
Bunn, Clerk of the Courts; Wm. Jones, Auditor; F. W. Tibbetts, 
Treasurer; T. S. Snell, County Surveyor; E. L. Worcester, Re- 
corder; F. A. Eastman, Sheriff: Dr. A. T. Baker, Coroner; Mrs. 
A. H. Smith, Superintendent of Schools: J. G. Freeman, Chair- 
man; John Bunn, James Taylor, Board of Supervisors. 

The first child born in Ida County was Ida Grove Smith, daugh- 
ter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Smith. The first death was a child of the 
same family. The remains were taken to Smithland, in Woodbury 
county, for interment. The first railroad, a branch of the Chicago 
& Northwestern, crossed into Ida County August 21st, 1877, and 
is now extended as far west as Mapleton, in Monona County. Ida 
County has fair prospects for another road through to Ida Grove 
soon — the same one that passes through Sac City and Sac County. 

IDA GROVE. 

The county seat of Ida county was, previous to arrival of the 
railroad, in the fall of 1877, situated on the north side of the rail- 
road track and Odebolt River. After the appearance of the rail- 
road at this place, anew town sprang up on the south side of the 
river, which Avas christened Ida Grove. This town is now the 
county seat, and is located on the northeast quarter of section 15, 
township 87, range 40. The village commands a fine view of the 
beautiful valley of Maple River. It is about twenty-eight miles 
from Denison, Crawford county. 

Upon one of the high ridges near the village there was formerly 
an extensive Indian encampment, where the remains of buffalo, elk, 
deer, and other game are still scattered over the surface, or half 
embedded in the soil. The course of a deeply worn Indian trail is 
said to have been a great highway for the natives, who only a few 
years ago occupied this portion of the State. 



IITSTOKY OF lOAVA. 559 

The first postoffue established in the county was located at Ida, 
and for years this was the only one. 

The old town of Ida was laid out in 1871 hy S. W. Hobbs. The 
new town was laid out by the Blair Town and Lot Company in 
1877, and is situated on the left bank of the Maple River, about 
five miles from the geographical center of the county. Isaac 
Bunn built the first house in Ida Grove. Selling that almost im- 
mediately, he erected the second, and still later the third house in 
the town. The first brick building Avas erected by Chaffee & 
Williams, in 1880, and is the one in which the Pioneer office is 
now located. Since then a number of massive brick structures 
have been erected, and the town is fast building up with large and 
substantial brick buildings. 

The first child born in the town was Sarah, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. J. H. Macomber. 

The first store was opened by Engstrom & Smith as a hardware 
store. 

The town was incorporated April 2Gth, 1878. H. A. Miller was 
elected the first Mayor, and J. W. Reed. Recorder. The first 
Trustees were: T. S. Snell, W. P. Evans, J. 0. Engstrom, Calvin 
Bailey, and L. Tinkle. The present town ofiicers are: Frank 
Burns, Mayor; Frank W. Shearer, Recorder; A. L. Houser. J. E. 
Jurgenson, J. H. Stough, Trustees, and R. Johnston, Assessor. 

The Ida Coiinfi/ Pioneer was the first paper published in Ida 
Grove. Dui'ing the winter of 1872, Robert Wilkinson, Frank 
Burns, C. P. Lund, C. C. Brown, Geo. E. Johnson, H. H. Lund, 
M. G. Aldrich, R. H. Campbell, W. J. Wagoner, W. P. Evans, W. 
Wilkinson, James F. Wilkinson, C. Hathaway, Isaac Bunn and 
E. B. West, formed themselves into a stock company for the pur- 
pose of purchasing material and publishing a newspaper at Ida. 
The necessary money was raised, and W. P. Evans took charge of 
the publishing. The first number, then as now, was called the 
Ida Countij Pioneer^ and the first issue was on Thursday, March 
3d, 1872, 'from the upper story of the Court House. The paper 
was a six-column folio. Republican in politics and began with a 
circulation of 150. It was printed in long primer type, upon an 
old poster press, known among older Iowa journalists as "Old Mu- 
ley,'' the press upon which J. N. Dixon, the "'blind editor,"' pub- 
lished his first paper, the Indianola Journal. It had also done 
service in the early days of Des Moines journalism on the Iowa 
Statesman and State Register. Immediately after the first sheet of 
the Pioneer was printed, it was taken by E. B. "West, the County 
Aulitor, down stairs and presented -to the Board of Supervisors, 
who were then in session, and was made by them the official paper 
of the county. Within two or three months after the first issue 
of the paper, W. P. Evans purchased the shares of all the stock- 
holders and became sole proprietor. On the 27th day of August, 
1874, Evans sold the Pioneer to C. B. Chaffee and George T. Wil- 



660 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

liams, who enlarged the paper to a seven-colanm folio. In the 
spring of 1876 Chaffee & Williams sold an "Amateur'' press and 
purchased a large stock of job type and a new quarto-medium 
"Star" jobber, and in 1877 purchased a new Washington press. 
April 4th, 1878, the Pioneer was enlarged to an eight-column folio. 
In the spring of 1881, ChaflFee & Williams sold the Pioneer to 
Theron Akin, who suppressed the paper. About the 1st of April, 
1881, W. P. Evans re-established the Pioneer^ purchasing a large 
office with four presses. The present proprietor continued the 
publication until December, 1881, when he leased it to Suiter & 
Simpson, two practical printers, who are. the present editors. It 
is one of the official papers of the count\', is a seven-column cjuarto 
and has a circulation of 1,200. 

The Maple Valley Era is a Republican paper, and was started 
by L. Stanfield and C. N. Clark, August 22d, 1877. This paper 
was started as a five-column quarto, but October 18th. 1877, it 
was enlarged to an eight-column folio. March 22d, 1879, L. 
Stanfield sold his interest to the junior partner, C. N. Clark, who 
changed the day of publication from Wednesday to Friday. Mr. 
Clark then added to the office a quarto-medium Gordon jobber, and 
a new invoice of type. In March, 1880, the paper was again en- 
larged, this time to a nine-column folio. July 1st, 1881, the pub- 
lisher purchased a new power press, and enlarged the paper to a 
seven-column quarto. L. T. Chapin purchased a one-half interest 
in the AVffi January 1st, 1882, and it is now run under the firm 
name of Clark & Chapin. It is a Republican paper, and one of the 
official papers of the county. It has a circulation of 1,000 copies. 

J. H. Moorehead was the first postmaster in Ida Grove, he hav- 
ing received his appointment in 1860. He was succeeded by W. 
P. Evans, who was appointed late in the year 1872. C. N. Clark 
is the present incumbent. It is a money-order office. 

The first Court House of Ida County was built in the town of 
Ida in 1871, and was nearly completed before another buildins^was 
begun on the town site. January 12th, 1877, the Court House 
was burned, together with most of the county records, and for 
three years afterwards the county offices were kept in small build- 
ings rented by the county. During the latter part of the year 
1879, the present Court House. was built on a contract by which 
the county had the privilege of renting or buying at certain 
figures. The Clerk removed to the new building in December, 
1879, and the other officers followed in January. The upper story 
is used for court purposes, and the lower part for various county 
offices. The county purchased the building in 1880. The popula- 
tion of the town may now be estimated to be from 1,200 to 1,500, 
and it is fast increasing. 

The business of Ida Grove may be classified as follows: Six gen- 
eral stores, three grocery stores, one clothing store, one boot and 
shoe store, two restaurants, three drug stores, two banks, two fur- 



11 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 361 

niture stores, three hardware stores, four millinery stores, three 
meat markets, two jewelry stores, three elevators, one grist mill, 
four saloons, three hotels, three lumber yards, four agricultural 
implement depots, five livery stables, four harness shops, two barber 
shops, four blacksmith shops and four wagon shops, one plow 
factory. 

The Ida Creamery was established in the spring of 1882, and is 
operated by Mauer Bros. They have a commodious brick building 
20x32 feet, with a wing 14x30, which is frame. This creamerv 
has a capacity of 1,000 pounds per day. It is situated one-half 
mile from the town and is operated on the cream-gathering plan. 
Its internal arrangements are of the most modern plan. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

Jf. E. Church 5'oc/g^i/.— The Ida Circuit was originally part of 
the Smithland Circuit, but was detached from this circuit in 1869, 
and formed into the Maple River Circuit. In 1875, it was again 
divided and called Ida Circuit. The first pastor who traveled this 
section when Avithin the bounds of the Smithland Circuit was 
Rev. L. Taylor, who included in this work what is known as the 
Sioux City District. Taylor was succeeded by Rev. Seymore 
Snyder, and he by Rev. Adams, who in turn, was succeeded by 
Rev. Barker, Avho Avas the last preacher on the circuit before it 
was divided. Maple Circuit included a point on Soldier Creek, 
Mapleton, Battle Creek and Ida Grove. Rev. L. H. Woodworth 
was placed in charge, and was succeeded by J. P. Hauxhurst. who 
was appointed to Ida Circuit in 1871. In September, 1872, Ida 
Circuit was set off from the Maple Circuit, and Rev. Harrison 
Bailey was appointed pastor, and was reappointed in 1878. He 
was followed by Rev. L. H. Woodworth. In 1875, Mr. Bailey 
was again appointed to this charge, and was succeeded by Rev. 
AV. B. Hastings. At the session of the annual conference, in 
September, 1870, Ida was attached to Fort Dodge district, with 
Rev. Edwin Hobbs as pastor. Ida was made a separate cljarge in 
September, 1878. Rev. C. B. Winter afterwards took charge and 
was followed by Rev. Henry Brown, who is the present pastor. 
The church building, located on Moorehead Avenue, in Old Town, 
is the pioneer of the houses of worship. It is 32x45 feet, and 
contains 250 sittings. It was erected at a cost of 81.900. It was 
dedicated in November, 1878. The parsonage was erected in the 
fall of 1881. It is 16x26 feet, and cost 8700. The church mem- 
bership is about eighty. With the church is connected a Sabbath 
School, with an average attendance of fifty pupils. H. B. Pierce 
is Superintendent. 

Baptist Church ^Sor/c///.— Organized August 16th, 1879, by D. 
D. Proper. Rev. J. W. Daniels was the first pastor. He was 
succeeded by Rev, C. E, McManis, who took charge in July, 1881, 



562 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

and who is the present pastor. The officers of the chnrch are: W. 
H. Bliss and R. H. Dawson, Deacons; Albert Needham, Clerk; F. 
R. Moorehead, Treasurer. The Society now numbers about forty 
members, and has a Sabbath School with an average attendance 
of fifty pupils, Avith D. H. Sanford as Superintendent. The 
church was built in 1880. It is a large frame building, 30x50 
feet, with a side vestibule 10x16 feet. The whole is surmounted 
by a belfrey. The basement is fitted up to contain a robing room 
and a baptistry. The building was erected under thp supervision 
of Rev. J. W. Daniels. The seating capacity is about 350, in- 
cluding gallery. It is of the Gothic style, furnished with hand- 
some stained glass windows, and is quite an ornament to the town. 

Preshyterian Church Society.- — This society was organized in 
1873, by George R. Carroll. Rev. A. E.Smith was the first pastor 
and took charge in 1878. The present officers of the church are: 
John A. Lytle, Alex. Hartly and F. Sampson, Elders. The soci- 
ety now numbers sixty-four members. There is a Sabbath School 
with an average attendance of ninety pupils. H. W. Rule is the 
Superintendent. The church was erected in 1880. It is a neat 
frame building 30x50 feet, with a tower 8x8 feet, and 60 feet high, 
and a recess back of the pulpit 5x9 feet. It contains 150 sittings, 
and cost about ^.5,000. 

Catholic Church Societtj. — Was organized about 1879, and has 
a membership of about sixty families. Rev. Father Norton is the 
pastor. The church was erected in 1879. It is a frame building 
30x40 feet, an I has about 250 sittings, and cost ^2,400, 

Ida, Grove PuhJiot School. — This is an independent school dis- 
trict. The school building is a fine structure, erected in 1881. 
It contains six rooms and a basement, and is heated by two 
furnaces. It was erected at a cost of 11,000. There are three 
teachers employed, and an average attendance of 100 pupils. Prof. 
0. E. Smith is the principal. Miss Bertha Barker and Retta Daw- 
son assistants. The present school board are: I. Kennedy, 
President; D. A. Grosvenor, E. L. Worcester, L. Tinkle, S. B. 
Higgins and Isaac Bunn, Trustees; F. W. Shearer, Secretary. 

Kane Lodge No. 377., A. F. it A. M. — This Lodge was in- 
stituted July 8th. 1876, and the charter Avas granted June 8th, 
1877. The "charter members were: Matt. M. Gray, W. M.; 0. 
Waterman, S. W.; Chas. Beers, J. W.; W. Vankirk, S. D.; E. S. 
Bigelow, J. D.; T. S. Snell, Secretary; Calvin Bailey, Treasurer; 
A. A. Stowell, Tiler. These were also the first officers. The 
officers now are: S. B. Carr, W. M.; W. Vankirk, S. W.; G. F. 
Barnes, J. W.; H. A. Worcester, Secretary; Noah Williams. Treas- 
urer; W. J. Scott, J. D.,and E. Whitcomb, Tiler. The Lodge 
now has a membership of thirty-seven, and meets once in each 
month. The Lodge contemplates building a hall this year. 

Ida Grove Lodge Xo- 74., V. A. S. — Instituted August 23d, 
1881, by Mr. Maltbie. The first officers are: S. B. Higgins, 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 563 

Rector; D. N. Goodell, Scribe; J. C. Higgins, Questor; P. H. 
Hillraan, Usher, and Mr. Machahan, Speculator. The Lodge 
numbers nineteen members and meets the first Wednesday in each 
month. The present officers are: P. H. Hillman, Rector; J. B. 
Williams, Scribe; Isaac Bunn, Questor; Harry Shamo, Usher, and 
Frank Wright, Speculator. 

Ida Connfij Agricultural Society. — Organized March, 1875. The 
society has thirty-five acres of grounds, situated three-fourths of a 
mile from town, and the best half-mile track in Ida County. The 
grounds are all enclosed with a close board fence, and have a nice 
floral hall, sheds, etc. This society holds its fairs annually. 

BATTLE CREEK. 

Battle Creek, which is situated on the Maple Valley Branch of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, about forty-five miles from 
the junction, is located in the centre of the beautiful Maple Val- 
ley, and was laid out by the Blair Town and Lot Company, in 1877, 
on lands purchased by the company from W. J. Wagoner, of 
Denison. Located as it is, it presents a fair appearance from all 
points on each side of the valley. The soil is fertile and product- 
ive, and the town is located in a rich farming country. The depot 
was built in 1877. 

Frank E. Beckwith moved the first house into the town in 1879, 
which building was used as a boarding-house. Charles Havens 
built the first house constructed in the town and used it as a sa- 
loon. The first store was opened by John Nott in the spring of 
1880. William Warner soon after opened a store. Sara. Warnock 
was the first to engage in the lumber business. John Nott was 
appointed the first postmaster and has held the position ever since. 
John Holcomb w^as among the earliest settlers and was the first to 
engage in the hotel business. 

The town was incorporated in December, 1880, and A. Bassett 
was elected the first Mayor; W. Jones, Recorder, and J. M. Boles, 
John Nott, William Warner, W. H. James, Sam. Warnock, and 
Peter Anierman, Councilmen. The population of the town is now 
estimated to be between 400 and 500 people. The present town 
officers are: A. Bassett, Mayor; J. C. Walter, Recorder; A. V. 
McKown. Sam. Warnock, W\ E. Churchill, John Nott, B.C. Bow- 
man and Hugh Smith, Councilmen. 

The business of Battle Creek may be classified thus: Three 
general stores, two drug stores, one harness shop, two meat mar- 
kets, three hotels, one bank, one furniture store, two saloons, three 
lumber yards, three agricultural implement depots, twt» millinery 
stores, one elevator, one barber shop, two blacksmith shops, one 
wagon shop, one livery stable, one restaurant. 

Battle Creek is situated in the heart of an excellent farming 
country, and is undoubtedly destined, if one may judge the future 



664 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

by the past, to become one of the most important business points 
in Western Iowa. Its growth has been rapid and vigorous, and 
still continues, and all fair-minded people who have given the sub- 
ject consideration, will coincide with us in the view given. 

The Battle Creek Times, a neat seven-column folio weekly 
paper, was started by Hugh Brannan, April 23d, 1880. Mr. B. 
ran the paper but three months, when the material was bought by 
S. Warnock and W, E. Roberts, who hired John Jones to run it. 
It was afterwards leased to J. L. Kroesen, now of the Wall Lake 
Journal. S. W. Young purchased the paper in the fall of 1881, 
and is now editor and proprietor. It is Republican is politics, and 
has a circulation of 550 copies. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

M. E. Church 5'oc/e^?/.— The M. E. Church Society of Battle 
Creek was organized March, 1881. The first pastor was Rev. 0. 
L. Neville, who was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. F. M. 
Luce. The first officers were: H. Haworth, M. L. Branch, F. M. 
Lewis, and A. B. McKown, and are still serving as officers of the 
church. The society now numbers about twenty. It has a Sab- 
bath School in connection, with an average attendance of forty 
pupils. M. L. Branch is the Superintendent. The church build- 
ing was erected in 1881-2, and was dedicated February 26th, 1882. 
It is a neat frame structure, 26x10 feet, with a tower 10x10 feet 
on the corners, surmounted with a belf rev, which contains a large 
bell. It has about 200 sittings and cost ^2,000. 

Preshyterinn Church Society. — Organized June 13th, 1879. 
The first officers were: E. P. Smith, G. W. Mc Williams, R. 
Warnock, James Preston, and John S. Piffer. Rev. A. E. Smith 
was the first pastor. The present officers are the same as the first. 
The present pastor is J. C. Gilkerson. The church building was 
completed in 1880. It is 26x10 fe.^t, and cost $2,000. 

Battle Creek Public School. — Wilson Jones taught the first 
school in the town. ' The district is still a sub-district of Maple 
Township. The present school building was moved from outside 
the limits into the town, and formerly used as a town hall. It was 
converted into a school building a few years ago. The present 
school board of Maple Township consists of ten directors, one 
from each sub-district. S. Beard is President, Wilson Jones is 
the Secretary, and A. Stowell Treasurer. The Battle Creek school 
numbers eighty-five pupils. Wilson Jones is principal, and Mrs. 
E. Warner, assistant. 

Samaritan Lodge, A. F. & A. J/.— Dispensation was granted 
March 21st, 1881. The first and present officers are: G. W. 
Hoskins, W. M.; J. P. Creager, S^ W.; W. E. Churchill, J. W. 
The charter members were: P.K.Taylor, A. V. McKown, H. 
Lampman, Wm. Warner. H. S. Squyer, J. C. Stoughton. A. R. 



HISTOKT OF IOWA, 565 

Graiser, A. C. Hoyt, J.L. Richardson, Smith Waite. The society 
meets once each month, and has a membership of about twenty. 
Battle Creek Lodge Xo. 202, A.O. U. TT.— This Lodge was 
instituted Angust loth, 1879. The charter members and first 
officers were: A. A. Stowell, Foreman ;R. K. Cameron P M W- 
I. N. Goin, M. W.; C. W. Oxwood, 0.; H. N. Davis, Rec.;' w! 
Jones, Financier; A. L. Brockway, Rec; P. K.Taylor, G.; A. A. 
Nauman, I. W.; B. Graiser, 0. W. The present officers are- J 
Nott, M. W.; W. Jones, P. M. W. and Rec; R. A. McWilliams, 
Foreman; A. Lampman, 0.; C. F. Sufeld, Rec; J. I. Rogers, G.; 
J. F. Snyder, I. AV.; A. Nauman; 0. W. The society now num- 
bers about fifteen members, and holds its meetings every Satur- 
day night. 



IDA COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 



IDA GROVE. 

A. T. Baker, M. D.. was born in Jackscn county, la., in 1847. 
He began the stndij of medicine at an early age, graduated from 
the Iowa State University in the class of '76. The same year he 
located at Webster City, where he soon built up a large and lucra- 
tive practice. He moved to Ida Grove in 1879, and is one of the 
leading physicians of the county. 

Ed. H. Barnes, stock dealer, was born in St. Albans, N. Y.; 
moved to Manchester, la., in 1855; was there engaged in business 
for twelve years. He went to Waterloo, where he engaged in the 
hotel business; then went to Yankton, Dak. He built the telegraph 
line from there to Fort Sully. In 1871 he came to Ida county, la., 
and was elected sheriff in 1872. 

L. G. Blair, photographer, was born in 111.; moved to Wis. 
when quite young, and in 1876 moved to Denison, la. He came 
to Ida Grove in 1879, and established business. He has a branch 
establishment atOdebolt; is prepared to do first-class work at low 
prices. 

0. J. Blodgett, attorney at law, is a native of N. Y.; moved to 
Warren county, Iowa, in 1868; was admitted to the bar in 1880, 
and located in Ida Grove in ^1881; is now one of the leading 
attorneys of Ida county. 

Isaac Bunn, clerk of the courts, is a native of England; came to 
America in 1851 and located at Cleveland, 0.; removed to Du- 
buque, la., in 1856; thence to Ida Grove in 1871, where he engaged 
in wagon-making and blacksmithing. He was elected to his pres- 
ent ofiice in 1874, and has been re-elected each term since. 



566 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

L. T. Burd, attorney iit law, was born in Pa.; moved to 111. 
when quite young. He read law in the office of the Hon. J. W. 
McDill; came to Ida Grove in Jan., 1882, and opened an office. 

Buxton & Clark, real estate, loan and insurance agents. The 
firm is composed of Will. B. Buxton and C. J. Clark; they were 
formerly engaged in mercantile business at this place; sold out 
and engaged as above in 1881. They also have a complete set of 
abstracts. 

Clark & Hubbard, real estate, loan and insurance agents, Mr. 
Clark is a native of Wis.; moved to Butler county, la., in 1868, 
and engaged in farming. He engaged in the real estate and insur- 
ance business in 1876 and two years later moved to Ida Grove, 
where he engaged in business as above. George C. Hubbard be- 
came a member of the firm in Jan., 1882. 

Matt. M. Gray, attorney at law, was born in Hancock county, 
111., in 1850; moved to Mo. and engaged in the practice of the 
law. In 1872 he came to Ida Grove; opened the first law office in 
the town, and in 1873 was elected county auditor, which office he 
held until 1876; then was obliged to resign on account of his large 
and increasing law business. He has been associated in business 
with Hon. R. T. Shearer. 

G. H. Gingrick, of the firm of G. H. Gingrick & Co., dealers in 
general hardware, is a native of Ohio; came to Iowa in 1878. He 
moved to Ida Grove and engaged in present' business with A. M. 
Gingrick, who is also a native of 0.; came to Iowa county, la., in 
1856 and to Ida Grove in 1880. They carry a large and well se- 
lected stock of hardware. 

E. C. Heilman, of the firm of Heilman & Moorehead, physicians 
and surgeons, was born in Scott county, la. He graduated from 
the Ohio Medical College in the class of '77. G. C. Moorehead is 
a graduate of the Iowa State University, class of '79. 

L. D. Ingman, of the firm of Dean & Ingman, dealers in dry 
goods, clothing and carpets, was born in Ohio; came to Cedar 
county, la., in 1859. He enlisted in 1801 in the 5th la. Inft., 
was discharged in 1861, and returned to Cedar county, where he 
engaged in the mercantile business. He came to Ida Grove in 
1880, and engaged in business as above . 

William Jones, county auditor, is a native of Wis.; came to 
Ida county, la., in 1876, and engaged in teaching until elected to 
his present officii, in the autumn of 1881. 

Arthur L. Moore, of the firm of G. A. Edmunds & Co., dealers 
in general merchandise, is a native of Ya. ; came west in 1870, and 
in 1875 located at Sioux City, and was employed in the wholesale 
department of the dry goods house of Tootle, Livingston & Co., 
for six years. He then established present business . They carry 
a stock of goods that would be a credit to a much larger city; also 
have a branch house at Correctionville, la. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 567 

J. H. Macomber, attoniey at law, was born in Piscataquis 
county, Me. Was admitted to the bar and practiced law in his 
native state until 1876; he then moved to Ida Grove, where he 
opened an office and resumed the practice of law. 

H. H. Moorehead, manager for the Green Bay Lumber Co., 
came to Ida county, la., in 1850. He engaged in the mercantile 
business in the spring of 1869, Avhich business he continued until 
1878. In 1880 he engaged as above. 

H. H. Perry, proprietor of Ball's Hotel, is a native of 111.; 
moved to Marshalltown, la.^ in 1808, and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. In Dec, 1881, he became landlord of the above 
house. This hotel is a first-class house, has large sample rooms, 
and all the comforts required by travelers. 

H. B. Pierce, deputy recorder, is a native of 111.; moved with 
parents to Cedar county, la., in 1865. He moved to Carroll coun- 
ty in 1874, and engaged in school teaching; came to Ida Grove in 
1878, where he was principal of the schools for three years. In 
1881 w^as appointed deputy recorder. 

E . A . Porter, proprietor of the Porter House, is a native of . ; 
moved to Guthrie county, la., in 1850, and engaged in the grain 
business. He came to Ida Grove in 1881, and opened the above 
named house, which was newly furnished. It is a first-class house 
with good sample rooms . 

Patrick Scanlan, agent for the C. & N. W. R. R, Co. at Ida 
Grove, came to this place in 1881 and took charge of the above 
office; is also agent for the American Express Co. 

William J. Scott, druggist, was born in Pa.; is a graduate of 
Girard College, of Philadelphia. He moved to Glidden, la., in 
1877 and engaged in the drug business. In 1879 he came to Ida 
Grove, and engaged ill present business. 

F. W. Tibbetts, county treasurer, is a member of the firm of 
Tibbetts, Thompson & Co., dealers in grain and agricultural imple- 
ments. He was born in N. H.; moved to Wis. in 1855; thence to 
Iowa in 1864 and engaged in farming. He came to Ida Grove in 
1877 and engaged in business with his brother; the firm soon after 
became Tibbetts & Tuthill, afterwards became Tibbetts, Thompson 
& Co. He was elected to his present office in 1881. 

L. Tinkle, dealer in general merchandise, is the pioneer mer- 
chant of Ida Grove. The business is conducted by 13. F. Dugan. 
He is a native of Ohio; came to Iowa in 1868 and engaged in the 
mercantile business at Fort Dodge. He became bookkeeper and 
manager of the above house in 1878. 

0. G. Tremaine, M. D., was born in Oconomowoc, Wis., in 1854; 
moved to Hamilton county, la., in 1807. He began the study of 
medicine in 1877 and graduated from the Hahnemann Medical 
College, of Chicago, in 1880. He located at Ida Grove in Oct., 
1881, and engaged in the practice of medicine. 



568 HISTORY OF IOWA. 

Dr. J. T. Walker, druggist, is a native of Ind.; moved to Iowa 
in 1854 and in 1867 engaged in the mercantile business with his 
father, in Linn county. He studied medicine and in 1872 gradu- 
ated from the Rush Medical College, of Chicago. He opened an 
office at Vail, Crawford county, la. Came to Ida Grove in 1877 
and is the pioneer druggist of the place. 

A. P. Williams, real estate and insurance agent, was born in 
Ind.; moved to Benton County, la., in 1856. He has been en- 
gaged in business in Cedar Kapids and Omaha. Came to Ida Grove 
in 1881 and engaged in business as above. 

BATTLE CREEK. 

D. R. Archer, real estate dealer and proprietor of the Hol- 
comb House, was born in Ind. ; came to la. in 1880, and engaged 
in the real estate business; has sold since about twenty-five thous- 
and acres of land, of which one-third has been to actual settlers. 

B.C. Bowman, of the firm of S. H. Bowman & Co., lumber 
dealers, is a native of Md. ; moved to Neb. in 1876; thence to la. 
in 1879 and engaged in the lumber business at Odebolt, Ida Grove, 
Danbury and Battle Creek . 

W. E. Cliurchill, dealer in hardware and agricultural imple- 
ments, was born in N . Y.; came to Clarence, la., in 1862, and 
was employed as salesman in a hardware store until 1871, when 
he engaged in business for himself. He moved to Battle Creek 
iu 1878, and engaged in business as above. 

C p. Lund, dealer in agricultural implements and stock, was 
born in Denmark in 1834; came to America in 1861 and engaged in 
farming in Wis. In 1870 moved to Ida county, la., and in 1877 
came to Battle Creek and engaged in stock and lumber business. 
In 1881 engaged in the above named business. 

Jasper McArthur, farmer, was born in Linn county, la . , in April, 
1857; came to Crawford county in March, 1878, where he engaged 
in farming on 115 acres, section 1 . His postoffice is Battle Creek. 
On Jan. 1st, 1879, he was married to Ella Page, of Linn county. 
They have one child . 

G. W. Mcintosh, furniture dealer, is a native of Wis.; came to 
la. in 1869, and engaged as carpenter and builder. He moved to 
Red Oak in 1873, and to Battle Creek in 1877. In 1881 he engaged 
in his present business. 

John Nott, postmaster, was born in Wis. in 1817; moved to 
Ida, la., in 1874; thence to Willow Dale, near the present town 
of Battle Creek, and engaged in the mercantile business. He was 
appointed postmaster in 1876; the office was moved to Battle Creek 
in 1877; he also moved there, having sold his business, and is still 
in office. 



APPENDIX. 



Under this heading will be found historical and biographical matters that 
were received too late for insertion in their proper places: 

AURELIA. 

Anrelia, located in the eastern part of Cherokee County, on the line of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, was platted by the railroad company in 1870. It was 
incorporated in 1880. The first town officers, under incorporation, were: W. 
C. Marsh, Mayor; J. W. McMillan, Clerk; George Wharton, Trea.surer; George 
Nelson, Marshal and Street Commissioner; W. P. Miller, R. C. Kleberger, W. 
F. Quirk, Alexander Frazer, G. A. Enright, W. H. Reynolds, Councilmen. 
Present town officers: A. Potter, Mayor; J. W. McMillan, Clerk; George 
.Wharton, Treasurer: J. F\-aser, Marshal; D. Watts, Street C>nnnissioner; R. 
R. Whitney, C. R. Kleberger, H. Bisheal, William Natress, George Orswell, E. 
Daniels, Councilmen. 

The first storv> in Anrelia was built by J. Clarkson in the autumn of 1869; the 
first dwelling, by R. R. Whitney, in 1870; the first child born was Carrie An- 
relia Sampson, daughter of John and Naomi Sampson, born March 19th, 1874; 
the first tram of cars arrived at Aurelia, in July. 1870; the first grain was ship- 
ped from Aurelia in the autumn of 1871, by R. R. Whitney. 

The business establishments of Aurelia may be classifiecl as follows: General 
stores, five; lumber yards, three; grocery stores, two; hardware, three; boot 
and shoe stores, two; harness shops, two; meat markets, two; livery bams, 
two; hotel, one; furniture stoi-e. one; photographer, one; millinery stores, two; 
coal d'^alers, four; bla':ksmith shops, two; wagon shop, one; drugstore, one; 
bank, one; printing otfice, one; saloons, two; bakery and restaurant, one; grain 
elevators, four; warehouses, two; veterinary surgeon, one; attorney, one; phy- 
sician, one. 

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES. 

The Methodist Church Societi/. — Organized October 31st, 1878, by Rev. Mr. 
Fans, with tour mjinbars. Present membership, about one hundred. Rev. W. 
Parfitt, present pastor. The church edifice is 45x26 feet in dimensions, and was 
built at a cost of $1,600. 

The Lutheran Church Societi/. — This society erected its church edifice in 1881. 
The church is 40x28 feet in dimensions, and cost $2,000. Twenty-five families 
are represented in the membership. Rev. Amen Johnson is the pastor. 

Aurelia Public Schools. — The schools of Aurelia will be graded during 
spring of the present year, and the district properly organized as an independ- 
ent one. A fine school building 48x42 feet is nearly completed. It will coet 
$3,500. 

Jowa Legion of Honor — On the 27th of February, present year, a Lodge ot 
the Iowa Legion of Honor was instituted at Aureha. The Lodge was started 
with thirty-three charter members. 

AURELIA BIOGRAPHIES. 

J. R. Atwood, cashier of the Bank of Aurelia, is a native of Illinois; catae to 
Iowa in July, 1881, and engaged in banking at Aurelia. 



570 APPENDIX. 

Oscar Chase, dealer in agricultural implements, is a native of N. Y.; came to 
Iowa in May, 1869, and settled in Cherokee county, on section twenty-eight, 
and built the first house in the township. In 18S1, he moved to Aurelia, and 
engaged in present business. 

Edward Daniels, dealer in meat and live stock, was bora in Middlesex county, 
Mass. Moved to Boston, ami engaged in Boylston Market; remained there 
twenty years; moved to Iowa and settled near Aurelia, in 1869; engaged in 
farming until 1878, when he came to Aurelia, and engaged in business as above. 

S. A. Frisbie, dealer in grain and stock, was born in Essex county, N. Y.; 
moved to Iowa in 1875, and engaged in the mercantile business at Aurelia. In 
1881 he engaged in business as above. 

Alexander Eraser, grain dealer, is a native of Wis,: moved to Clayton county, 
Iowa, in 18")9; thence to Aurelia in 1871, and engaged in his present business. 
He is one of the largest grain dealers in the county, and one of the representa- 
tive citizens of Aurelia. 

W. C. Marsh, manager of the mercantile house of Wharton & Bruskill, is a 
native of N. Y. In 1849 he moved to Wis., where he engaged in farming; 
thence in 1875 to Aurelia. He built the first hotel in the town, and in 1879 en- 
gaged in business as above. 

W. H. Nolte, of the firm of Nolte & Davis, dealers in dry goods and groceries, 
was born in 111. ; came to Aurelia, la., in 1880, and engaged in present business. 
The firm have a fine store, and carry a large stock of goods. 

D. G. To3nje^, dealer in staple and fancy groceries and queensware, is a na- 
tive of Germ Liny; cam^ to America in 1874 and settled in Jones county, la. In 
1881 he c.ime to Aurelia, and engaged in business as above. 

George Wharton, of the firm of Wharton & Bruskill, was born in Dubuque 
county, Iowa, in 1851. Hb graduated from the Dubuque High School in 1874; 
then entered the store of Crotes & Walters, where he remained one year; thence 
to Aurelia, and engaged in business as above. 

R. R. Whitney, grain dealer, is a native of Canada; moved to McGregor, la., 
when there was but one house in the tjwn. He eng.igid m farming until 1869; 
then came to Aurelia and engaged in the stock and grain business. 

SPENCER BIOGRAPHIES. 

T. P. Bender and W. L. Bender, of the firm of Bender Bros., dealers in 
grain and stock, came from Pa. to Spencer, la., in 1872 and engaged in mercan- 
tile business. They built aneltvator duiing 1881 at a cost of $7,000. This 
elevator has a capacity of 15,000 bushels and is the largest elevator on the line 
of the road west of McGregor. T. P. Bender has a large stock farm near the 
city. They have paid for stock and grain during the year 1881, $150,000. 

J. F. and C. A. Constant, of the firm of Constant Bros., dealers in boots, 
shoes and gentlemen's furnislung goods, established business in 1881. They 
carry a large and complete stock of goods. 

Rev. P. H. Eighmy is pastor of the M. E. Church of Spencer, la. He has 
been very successful since commg to this city and through his efforts added 
forty members to his church. 

W. C. Gilbreath, dealer in grain and stcck. came to Spercer in 1878 from 
Williamsville, 111. He first engaged in mercantile business with I. F. Constant, 
but afterwards was engaged in publishing the Clai) County Neus. In 1881 he 
engaged in his present business. He was the first mayor of Spencer. 

A. W. Miller, cashier of the Clay county bank, came to Clay county in 1868 
and settled on a farm near Peterson. He moved to Spencer in 1871 ajid en- 



APPENDIX, 571 

gaged in milling; he entered the banking business in 1876. The bank is on 
the corner of Main and Fourth streets; it occupies a brick block that was re- 
cently erected. 

SIOQX CITY. 

The Sioux National Bank of Sioux City, Iowa, with a capital of $200,000.00, 
IS the largest bank in Western Iowa. Bills of exchange are bought and sold on 
principal cities in the United States and Great Britain. The bank has special 
lacihties for issuing drafts on cities in France, Germany. Norway and Sweden. 
The White Star Line of Steamers is also represented. The Directors are: J. 
C. C. Hoskins, Wm. L. Joy, A. S. Garretson, Judge J. R. Zuver, Geo. Murphy, 
Alexander Elliott, D. P. Hale. Wm. L. Joy, President; A. S. Garretson, Cashier. 

R. J. Chase, attorney at law, was bom in Unity, Sullivan county, N. H., in 
1840; removed with family to Nashua, N. H., when quite young; came west at 
17 years of age and settled in Vernon county. Wis. After serving in the army 
during the rebellion, he returned to Madison, Wis., and began the practice of 
law; came west in 1873 and platted the town of Sibley, Osceola county, Iowa. 
Mr. Chase's name, unsolicited by him, was ui^ed by his friends in connection 
with the district judgeship in 1874, and he received a good vote in convention. 
In connection with 0. J. Taylor, ke opened his present office in the fall of the 
same year. The firm has a large practice in the higher courts. 

STORM LAKE. 

J. A. Dean, of Storm Lake, Buena Vista county, is President of the Iowa 
Land and Investment Co.: was cashier of the Stoim Lake Bank, and is a Di- 
rector of the first National Bank of Storm Lake. The first named company has 
a capital stock of $50,000. and is incorporated for the purpose of negotiating 
long-time loans on real estate security, and transacting a real estate and gen- 
eral agency business. The Storm Lake Bank was discontinued on the 3d day 
of January, 1882, and its business transferred to the First National Bank of 
Storm Liike, which has an authorized capital of $100,000. James Barker is 
the President; J. C. French, Cashier. 



Erratnm. —In tbe table of population by counties, that of Plymouth County should 
read 8,567 Instead of 3,567. 



1 



